DA eThekwini mayoral candidate Haniff Hoosen
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini has written to the Public Protector requesting an investigation into alleged irregularities in the municipality’s soup kitchen programme, including claims that the city paid more than R2 500 for a 10kg bag of samp that typically retails for about R100.
The party said the alleged overpricing forms part of a broader concern over a R280-million annual contract used to fund 92 soup kitchens across the metro, aimed at providing meals to impoverished and homeless residents.
DA eThekwini mayoral candidate Haniff Hoosen said the matter points to possible corruption and financial misconduct. “The DA has now referred this eThekwini scandal to the Public Protector to investigate; 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,” Hoosen said.
He added that the municipality had failed to create sufficient employment opportunities, leaving many residents dependent on soup kitchens for survival.
