The Gauteng health portfolio committee has called on the provincial health department to explain why it failed to pay invoices during the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year. This means Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko must appear before the committee to address the issue.
The summons follows a report by Public Service Commissioner Vusumzi Mavuso, revealing that the department has not paid 19,212 invoices totalling R1 billion to suppliers within 30 days. This issue adds to the department’s previous failures, including 71% of invoices received by the Gauteng Department of Finance from the health department that were unpaid by the end of the 2023/2024 financial year.
According to National Treasury rules, all government departments must pay invoices within 30 days. Failure to do so is considered financial misconduct. DA Gauteng health spokesperson Madeleine Hicklin commented that these late payments reflect a systematic failure and the department’s lack of commitment to resolving the issue, negatively impacting healthcare services.
The department has a history of delayed payments. Earlier this year, surgeries at Leratong Regional Hospital were halted because a supplier was not paid for upgrading air conditioning units. In April last year, the department owed R4 billion to over 42,000 suppliers, with many accusing senior officials of ignoring payment requests.
Motalatale Modiba, the department’s head of communication, acknowledged the delays and stated that measures have been implemented to improve payment processes and reduce unpaid invoices. He emphasised that the department is strengthening its governance systems and ensuring that payments are prioritised and processed within the stipulated time frames.
Modiba also noted that reconciliation and verification of payments are now conducted monthly to prevent backlogs. The department is implementing a 70:30 budget split for invoice payments, with 70% dedicated to invoices processed within 30 days and 30% for those submitted late.
The health department’s ongoing payment issues raise concerns about the impact on healthcare services across the province.