The suspension of two senior eThekwini Municipality officials over alleged corruption in the City’s multi-million rand Soup Kitchen Programme has intensified scrutiny over how funds meant to feed the poor are being spent.
Community Participation Director Vincent Cebekhulu and his deputy, Lindani Sicwala, were suspended after the Democratic Alliance (DA) exposed what it described as widespread corruption, inflated food prices and deteriorating conditions at several soup kitchens across the city.
The DA claimed taxpayers were allegedly being charged up to R2 500 for a 10kg bag of samp, despite the product costing around R100 in retail stores.
The controversy centres around a programme designed to provide meals to vulnerable residents, which the DA says costs taxpayers about R280 million annually.
DA councillors Zamani Khuzwayo and Rowena Bosman said investigations by the party, supported by DA mayoral candidate Haniff Hoosen, uncovered unhygienic food preparation conditions, questionable procurement processes and alleged tender inflation.
“The DA stands with the most vulnerable residents of eThekwini and will continue fighting for their right to dignity, while exposing corruption and demanding accountability for the misuse of taxpayer funds,” the party said.
The party has now submitted Section 27 questions to Council demanding answers on the suspensions, the role of contractors involved and whether more officials could be implicated.
While the suspensions have sparked outrage, eThekwini Municipality has defended the programme, insisting the soup kitchens remain a vital lifeline for thousands of struggling families.
The City said 94 soup kitchens currently feed about 32 900 people every weekday across eThekwini and stressed that food samples are regularly tested to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
Municipal officials also acknowledged ongoing challenges, including rising poverty levels, ageing infrastructure, supply chain delays and increasing food and fuel costs.
In response to mounting criticism, the Municipality said it has begun reviewing the entire soup kitchen model and plans to strengthen partnerships with NGOs, businesses and faith-based organisations.
Additional interventions include improved food handling training, stricter hygiene measures and the gradual replacement of container structures with park homes fitted with ablution facilities.
However, eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Director, Mandla Nsele, declined to discuss the suspensions directly.
“As a matter of principle, the City does not engage in discussions regarding employer-employee relations with third parties, as doing so would contravene the provisions of the Labour Relations Act,” said Nsele.
