PIETERMARITZBURG - KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, is facing criticism and calls for accountability amid allegations of misconduct.
He's accused of awarding school nutrition tenders to his cronies.
The National School Nutrition Service Providers are demanding a transparent tender process and pushing for those responsible to be held accountable.
The scandal has ignited much debate over lack of oversight and potential corruption within the department.
KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC, Francois Rodgers says when the allegations of corruption surfaced as treasury they had a role to play especially when it comes to the supply chain and the tender process.
He says as investigations continue, the programme in itself will not be halted and will continue as normal to assist those pupils in dire need.
"The money is there and the budget is available. The feeding scheme will continue even if it means in the interim we have to extend the current contracts that we have," he says.