The payment of contractors within 30 days could soon form part of the Department of Public Works performance management process in a bid to put an end to the delayed and recurring non-payment of service providers.

According to Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko prompt payment can no longer be optional, but must be part of the annual performance assessment review because it is a serious matter that affects many small and emerging enterprises.

Speaking at engagement with contractors in the Eastern Cape on Friday, the minister acknowledged that there is a need for procurement systems to be integrated to minimise exclusion and awarding of tenders to one and the same companies.

Driving radical economic transformation

The engagement was attended by members of the Eastern Cape Business Forum, Eastern Cape Contractors Association and individual contractors.

The contractors called for user friendly tender documents and for them to be made available in at least one of the dominant indigenous official languages used in a province as well as a review of rates for day-to-day maintenance and emergency repairs.

“Regional departmental management teams must hold bi-monthly structured engagement with contractor associations and forums to address non-payment concerns as well as brief them about development programmes,” said the Minister.

He said radical economic transformation must be deliberate and driven with commitment.

“Our historic mission remains the development of black people and Africans in particular. It is informed by the broader political commitment to improve the lives of our people,” the Minister said