eThekwini Municipality launches training programme to improve service provider payments
UNPAID CONTRACTORS
Plumbers contracted to eThekwini Municipality protested outside the Florence Mkhize Building on Monday. The city has since announced comprehensive training programme for service providers following protests by unpaid contractors.
Image: SUPPLIED
THE eThekwini Municipality has announced comprehensive training programme for service providers following protests by unpaid contractors.
The initiative aims to strengthen compliance with invoicing requirements and improve payment efficiency through a new online submission system.
The announcement comes days after plumbers contracted to the municipality, embarked on protest action at the city’s Florence Mkhize Building.
Earlier this week, the contracted plumbers claimed that the city had not made good on payments due to them since October 2025.
In response to the protest action, the municipality claimed that 98% of creditors had been paid on time, however, the remaining 2% of cases involved incomplete documentation or compliance queries, which must be resolved before payment could be processed.
Luthando Ngubane, spokesperson for the municipality, said: “The proactive initiative of a comprehensive training programme forms part of the City’s ongoing efforts to streamline processes, enhance payment efficiency, and ensure that all invoice submissions meet the necessary standards.
“The municipality reaffirms its commitment to paying service providers timeously, provided that all claims submitted are legitimate, fully substantiated, and supported by the required documentation. The City continues to process payments weekly, in line with its established financial procedures,” he added.
Ngubane said Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are paid within 14 days, while other service providers are paid within 30 days, subject to the submission of correct and complete documentation.
In cases where payments exceed the 30-day period, delays are typically due to disputes, incorrect or incomplete invoices, missing supporting documents, or identified irregularities, the city said.
“To further enhance efficiency and transparency, the City has finalised an online invoice submission system. This platform allows service providers to submit invoices electronically and track payment progress in real time, significantly reducing the need for walk-ins and manual follow-ups.
“In addition to the system upgrade, the municipality will be conducting training sessions to assist service providers in understanding and navigating the online invoice and quotation systems. These sessions aim to improve compliance, minimise errors, and support smoother processing of payments. The City remains committed to ensuring timely payments and urges all service providers to adhere to documentation and compliance requirements to avoid unnecessary delays,” Ngubane added.