The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes that corruption is responsible for eThekwini spending R2,500 per bag of samp, for its soup kitchens. These 10kg bags cost R100 in a retail store.
The DA has now referred this eThekwini scandal to the Public Protector to investigate (view letter here).
R280-million of taxpayer money is being spent on these every year, and with inflated contracts, this money may be seriously vulnerable to corruption across the board.
The DA visited some of these 92 kitchens across the municipality and we found them in an appalling state, exposing them as a health hazard. A soup kitchen programme costing hundreds of millions should be in much more healthy and sophisticated conditions.
Following the DA’s exposure of this programme, and an exposé by Carte Blanche recently we have serious questions on how these tenders were awarded to questionable companies.
The DA asks the Public Protector to investigate the possible corruption, financial misconduct, procurement irregularities, gross overpricing, and health and safety violations.
It cannot be business as usual while ANC cadres continue to line their own pockets at the expense of the most vulnerable.
In a city that has failed to create employment opportunities, these are the only meals that many residents and their families depend on. It is inhumane of the ANC-led administration to view this as an opportunity to loot.