IN CONVERSATION WITH SERGIO ISSA DOS SANTOS, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education.
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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is calling for the immediate
suspension of Hulisani Tshikovhi, the Chairperson of the Tender Evaluation
Committee at the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), along with others implicated in the R9 billion feeding scheme tender. This scheme has left over 1.6 million Gauteng learners, primarily from underprivileged areas
at risk of missing out on much needed nutrition and learning on empty
stomachs.
Following the R3 billion tender scandal exposed by the DA Gauteng in 2024, where allegations of irregular procurement and substandard food deliveries emerged, the recent awarding of a R9 billion school nutrition tender is now
under scrutiny. This reveals a concerning pattern of corruption and mismanagement that directly jeopardises the well-being of learners.
Court documents seen by the DA disclose that the initial R3 billion tender was unlawfully awarded in July 2024. The GDE Head of Department, Rufus
Mmutlana, Chairperson of the Tender Evaluation Committee, Hulisani Tshikovhi and Tender Committee Member Kgabo Morifi, are alleged to have conspired to favour non-compliant service providers, purportedly soliciting bribes and deliberately excluding compliant applicants who refused to oblige.
The High Court rightfully deemed the initial appointment of the panel &quasilegal and fraudulent and mandated that the tender process be reinitiated However, evidence from a recently lodged court case suggests that the same method is being replicated. It is alleged that Hulisani Tshikovhi, despite his involvement in the previous alleged corruption, has instructed the Tender Evaluation Committee members to purportedly solicit bribes, mirroring the illicit activities that led to the High Court’s intervention in 2024. Specifically, it has come to light that the same illegal activity of including companies in exchange for bribes persists.
The GDE’s ongoing failure to effectively manage the awarding of this tender and to ensure that the process remains free from corrupt practices is unacceptable. Additionally, it raises concerns that individuals who faced corruption allegations in the R3 billion tender scandal were appointed to the panel for awarding the R9 billion tender. It’s important to note that most of these learners come from underprivileged backgrounds, and the meals they receive at school often represent their only source of nutrition for the day. Consequently, any disruptions caused by corruption and mismanagement in the awarding of the feeding scheme tender have serious consequences for these learners.
During Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’ s 2025 State of the Province Address, he extensively discussed various challenges facing the province. However, he only briefly mentioned corruption and did not present any plans on how the 7th Administration would address this critical issue. This omission is not surprising, given that Lesufi is currently facing allegations of a massive cover- up involving corruption, money laundering, and fraud related to the Department of Social Development.
The DA demands that those implicated in the feeding scheme tender scandal be immediately suspended so that they do not interfere with the investigation and possibly compromise evidence against them. We will also be referring this matter to the Hawks and the Public Service Commission (PSC).
A caring DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would run a transparent and corruption-free tender awarding process for the provision of nutrition. This would ensure that all learners have access to nutritious meals provided by a reliable and effective school nutrition programme.
suspension of Hulisani Tshikovhi, the Chairperson of the Tender Evaluation
Committee at the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), along with others implicated in the R9 billion feeding scheme tender. This scheme has left over 1.6 million Gauteng learners, primarily from underprivileged areas
at risk of missing out on much needed nutrition and learning on empty
stomachs.
Following the R3 billion tender scandal exposed by the DA Gauteng in 2024, where allegations of irregular procurement and substandard food deliveries emerged, the recent awarding of a R9 billion school nutrition tender is now
under scrutiny. This reveals a concerning pattern of corruption and mismanagement that directly jeopardises the well-being of learners.
Court documents seen by the DA disclose that the initial R3 billion tender was unlawfully awarded in July 2024. The GDE Head of Department, Rufus
Mmutlana, Chairperson of the Tender Evaluation Committee, Hulisani Tshikovhi and Tender Committee Member Kgabo Morifi, are alleged to have conspired to favour non-compliant service providers, purportedly soliciting bribes and deliberately excluding compliant applicants who refused to oblige.
The High Court rightfully deemed the initial appointment of the panel &quasilegal and fraudulent and mandated that the tender process be reinitiated However, evidence from a recently lodged court case suggests that the same method is being replicated. It is alleged that Hulisani Tshikovhi, despite his involvement in the previous alleged corruption, has instructed the Tender Evaluation Committee members to purportedly solicit bribes, mirroring the illicit activities that led to the High Court’s intervention in 2024. Specifically, it has come to light that the same illegal activity of including companies in exchange for bribes persists.
The GDE’s ongoing failure to effectively manage the awarding of this tender and to ensure that the process remains free from corrupt practices is unacceptable. Additionally, it raises concerns that individuals who faced corruption allegations in the R3 billion tender scandal were appointed to the panel for awarding the R9 billion tender. It’s important to note that most of these learners come from underprivileged backgrounds, and the meals they receive at school often represent their only source of nutrition for the day. Consequently, any disruptions caused by corruption and mismanagement in the awarding of the feeding scheme tender have serious consequences for these learners.
During Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’ s 2025 State of the Province Address, he extensively discussed various challenges facing the province. However, he only briefly mentioned corruption and did not present any plans on how the 7th Administration would address this critical issue. This omission is not surprising, given that Lesufi is currently facing allegations of a massive cover- up involving corruption, money laundering, and fraud related to the Department of Social Development.
The DA demands that those implicated in the feeding scheme tender scandal be immediately suspended so that they do not interfere with the investigation and possibly compromise evidence against them. We will also be referring this matter to the Hawks and the Public Service Commission (PSC).
A caring DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would run a transparent and corruption-free tender awarding process for the provision of nutrition. This would ensure that all learners have access to nutritious meals provided by a reliable and effective school nutrition programme.