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I will not let corrupt networks steal the future of 13 million SA children

Daily Maverick · · 1539 words · By Siviwe Gwarube
Original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-27--i-will-not-let-corrupt-netwo…

Fact-Check Results

“We have committed R10-billion towards expanding access to early childhood development (ECD), recognising that the battle for educational success is won or lost in the early years.”
❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm or refute the R10-billion ECD commitment claim.
“We have allocated R496-million to create 115,000 new ECD spaces, particularly in rural provinces such as the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal, where access has historically been limited.”
❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify the R496-million allocation for ECD spaces.
“The National School Nutrition Programme feeds 9.6 million children every day.”
❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm the 9.6 million children fed daily by the National School Nutrition Programme.
“I acted decisively to stop the tender process [for the National School Nutrition Programme] and demanded a redesign of the programme to stretch every rand further and cover more of our children.”
❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify actions taken regarding the National School Nutrition Programme tender process.
“I have required senior officials in the department to account regularly on their work, their progress and their decisions.”
❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm requirements for senior officials to report on their work.
“The lifestyle audits that it will conduct are not punitive; they are part of the work of earning and restoring the trust of the people of this country.”
❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify descriptions of SIU lifestyle audits as non-punitive.
“These audits will focus on senior officials within the department. They will also include officials working in high-risk areas, which are often used as entry points for corrupt activity.”
❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm targets of SIU lifestyle audits.