Department of Defence tops late payment list

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has revealed that the Department of Defence has topped the list of offenders with late payments of supplier invoices totalling R348 million.

While it was an improvement from the previous quarter, only 19 national departments out of 42 fully complied with legislation in terms of timeous payments.

The number of invoices paid after 30 days by the national departments was just over 40 500 to the value of R752 million at the end of the second quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.

The Commission has reiterated its commitment to accountability and professionalisation within the public service.

Defence late payments

The Department of Defence has led other national departments in the number of late payments of supplier invoices during July and September.

According to the PSC, the number of invoices paid late by the department stood at just over 35 500, totalling almost R350 million in value.

Commissioner Anele Gxoyiya says while there has been a slight improvement by national government overall, there is a need for greater compliance.

“The number of invoices paid after 30 days, which means the invoices were paid but were paid late, by the national departments was 40 562 – and the rand value of those invoices is R752 million as at the end of the second quarter. The number of invoices older than 30 days but not yet paid at that time by the national departments at the end of the quarter was 2 133 invoices with a rand value of R265 million. Which means that is the number of people who have been disadvantaged.”

In the first quarter of the year, the Defence Department remained the top offender with 18 496 invoices or 61% of the total number of invoices paid after 30 days.

At the same time during the period under review, 275 grievances were registered with the commission and 62% of them resolved by the end of September.

Gxoyiya says about 95% of grievances referred were referred by employees with cases of unfair treatment often involving issues such as harassment or bullying

Meanwhile, on the upside, the PSC says it notes the successes in resolving pension payouts and social grants.

Defence department tops late payment list: