KZN addressing the issue of non-payment of service providers: Ntuli

The KwaZulu-Natal government says it is addressing the issue of service providers’ non-payment by the Departments of Health and Education, which could affect service delivery, including the school nutrition programme.

The Department of Health has confirmed that it owes R1.7 billion to businesses in the province with over 1,500 unpaid invoices. The non-payment of suppliers is said to have left several schools without food for learners.

Both departments have attributed the delays in payments to budget cuts, technical glitches and non-compliance on the side of service providers.

Premier Thami Ntuli addressed the media after the weekly executive council meeting.

“All our provincial departments will continue to work around the clock with National Treasury to resolve any failures in the technical system. We can assure that the public that the Department of Education has full records of all unpaid service providers … On the other outstanding invoices by the Department of Health, we also wish to condemn the barricading on Monday of the officers of the Department of Health by disgruntled service providers. No dispute, however (big), should be resolved by violence in KZN,” says Ntuli.

Ntuli says while he acknowledges the inconvenience caused, he has encouraged departments to empower service providers to have savings to sustain the service.