The Eastern Cape and Gauteng provinces have failed to pay suppliers over R4.5 billion and R2.7 billion respectively within the prescribed 30-day period, according to the Annual Report on Late Payment of Suppliers Invoices by National Treasury for the 2023/2024 financial year.
The number of invoices paid after 30 days by national departments in the 2023/24 financial year amounted to 108 917 invoices.
Additionally, 1 427 invoices older than 30 days, amounting to R53 million, were not paid by national departments by the end of March 2024.
The report highlights that some national departments continuously fail to submit monthly exception reports, with the worst performers being the Labour and Public Works Departments.
Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams expressed concern over the impact of late payments on small businesses.
