DIE BURGER
The above report was published in DIE BURGER in November 2009 by Richard Roberts of Port Elizabeth who outlined the fact that the Aberdeen hostel children were not going to be supplied with food should months of outstanding debt by the Provincial Department of Education’s Financial Services to the local ‘Bakkery’ remain unpaid. The local Hyper Store in Aberdeen, which has been supplying provisions to the school hostel for the past 15 years, has a large overdue unpaid debt from the Department. After the Hyper Store had stopped all deliveries, they still gave necessary groceries to the school.
Learners, who live in the school hostels from Monday to Friday, are from farms in the outlying districts of the Camdeboo, and it is of concern to the two food suppliers in Aberdeen, who due to financial constraints will stop deliveries, as to how these children will obtain food.
The School Principal Mr Piet Minnaar said that the matter was being investigated by the Department of Education.
Mr Alfred Pannies, Head Administrator of school feeding programs, and hostels in the district of Graaff-Reinet was also contacted. According to Mr Pannies, the Department has apparently asked all parties to be patient, as letters are being sent to the schools to advise them of how all the outstanding debts will be paid.
Mr Malibongwe Mtima spokesperson of the Provincial Teachers Department made the comment that earlier in the year there had been a problem with the suppliers banking details.
Schools are now about to close, as will government departments during the December holidays, and the unpaid debts situation is still not resolved. This is of great concern to the two suppliers in the present economic climate, and they are hoping that an urgent resolution to this matter is found.
This article will be emailed directly to Acting Superintendent General Professor R.H. Nengwe Khulu of the Education Financial Department whose motto on their website is, ‘To ensure sound and effective financial management’.
Acknowledgements to: Richard Roberts and Die Burger
** FOLLOW UP OF UNPAID DEBTS SITUATION IN ABERDEEN
This matter has now been resolved, and payment has been received in full by the Aberdeen suppliers from the Education Financial Services.
This matter has now been resolved, and payment has been received in full by the Aberdeen suppliers from the Education Financial Services.
