KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance Francois Rodgers has given emerging businesses doing business with the government an assurance that his department is working to address the issues of late payment of suppliers.
Rodgers, met leaders of the KwaZulu-Natal Black Small Business Association (KZNBSBA) in Pinetown last week.The organisation has over 220 black small business owners from various parts of the province.
The meeting with the MEC was prompted by various grievances , the department said in a statement.
It said the MEC informed the KZNBSBA that it was concerning that some government contractors were not paid within the statutory 30-day period and advised that KZN Treasury had formulated a plan to improve payment times.
“I encourage all affected businesses to reach out to my office so that their complaints can be escalated. We want to make sure that all government departments fulfil their obligations towards their suppliers,” he said.
The KZNBSBA also raised concerns with some of the government's policies, claiming that they were being disadvantaged.
The MEC advised the organisation that it was crucial for them to play their role as active citizens. He emphasised that public consultations are usually conducted before government policy is finalised. He urged the KZNBSBA to participate in the public consultations to influence government policy.
The statement said the KZNBSBA had also sought the MEC’s help with its own housekeeping, it advised the MEC that it was not an accredited organisation and sought the MEC’s assistance with regard to their registration with the relevant bodies.
The Mercury