1,837 invoices cleared for payment as eThekwini moves to calm supplier fears

By Levy Masiteng

A total of 1,837 invoices have been approved and scheduled for payment, the eThekwini Municipality has confirmed.

Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Mayor Cyril Xaba said the approvals form part of a broader effort to stabilise the municipality’s new online invoicing system and restore confidence among service providers.

Xaba added that more than 6,000 invoices, worth approximately R800 million, have already been paid since the beginning of the month, while over 5,000 additional invoices are currently being processed at various stages.

“Our focus remains on stabilising the system, embedding best practices, and ensuring that all valid invoices are processed and paid within 30 days,” he said.

The payment delays — which have sparked frustration and protests among contractors in recent months — have largely been linked to the rollout of the new online invoicing system.

Service providers have complained that invoices were not processed for