(VIDEO) R130 million sanitary towels programme a bumbling failure – KZN MEC
The project was first piloted in 2016 for R20 million and then extended in two batches in 2017.
A “NOBLE” programme aimed at providing sanitary towels to indigent female learners was bumbled by education officials.
This was revealed by Kwazi Mshengu, MEC for Education at the eThekwini Disaster Management Centre on Thursday.
Mshengu was presenting summaries of a forensic report that was looking into possible corruption in the 2016 programme.
The report found that top senior officials in the KZN Education government had flouted several procurement procedures and processes in the rolling out of the programme.
“The report found no irregularities in terms of the awarding of contracts, the problems started when the programme was being implemented,” said Mshengu.
The problems highlighted in the report include excessive oversupply, poor research and a lack of guide to the distribution of and implementation of the project.
The project was first piloted in 2016 for R20 million and then extended in two batches in 2017.
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Mshengu said there were instances of sanitary towels being delivered to quintile 5 schools even though the programme was supposed to be for quintile 1 – 5 schools.
In another instance, officials used statistics from a previous year to determine how many girls needed sanitary products, said Mshengu.
This was one of the main reasons for the oversupply as 953 122 (R54-million) sanitary towels were ordered for the two batches despite changing statistics in the schools, said Mshengu.
In total there was an oversupply of 452 949 (valued at R4-million) sanitary packs, that Mshengu said have since been distributed to needy girls.
It was also found that in 2017 distribution of sanitary towels started two months prior to a circular being signed, said Mshengu.
ALSO READ: KZN government misappropriates R30-million of Covid-19 funds
Mshengu said the report made no adverse findings against his predecessor, Mthandeni Dlungwana, who was the MEC at the time.
“The forensic report recommends that appropriate disciplinary action be preferred against the Deputy Director General for Institutional Development Support Branch, the Chief Director for Social Enrichment Programmes and the Director for Special Needs Education,” said Mshengu.
“These officials were identified as responsible for the mismanagement of the project resulting in the oversupply and financial loss to the department.”
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