Thousands of businesses supplying services and products to the Gauteng Department of Health have been severely affected by the department’s failure to pay 30 914 invoices at the end of the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year. Businesses struggle to sustain themselves, risking closure and being unable to pay employees’ salaries because they are being owed R4.860 billion by the department.
This information was revealed by the Public Service Commissioner, Vusimuzi Mavuso, during a recent Finance Portfolio Committee meeting held in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).
Mavuso said companies, small businesses and township enterprises doing business with the department continue to struggle to survive because they are not paid within the stipulated 30-day period.
This department consistently remains the highest in all quarters in terms of late and non-payment of service providers.
The Gauteng Department of Health still has no permanent Chief Financial Officer. The previous CFO contract was suspended late last year, until this is rectified, the department will continue a downward trajectory.
A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would ensure that the department fills critical staff vacancies and appoints appropriately qualified personnel in top positions. We will also ensure proper monitoring and evaluating processes are applied to comply with good governance practices.