Four national government departments owe the Gauteng health department more than R43-million for patients treated at hospitals, the department said on Monday.
Spokesperson Zanele Mngadi said the provincial department is in talks with the affected national departments for payment.
She said the overdue money does not affect service delivery as the Gauteng department is budgeted for by the Treasury and the money, when paid, will go to the Treasury.
This comes after the Democratic Alliance said at the weekend that Gauteng is owed money by national departments. The party’s spokesperson on health in Gauteng, Jack Bloom, said in a statement that Gauteng health minister Brian Hlongwa had revealed this in a written reply to questions at the legislature.
The Department of Correctional Services owes R24,166-million. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development owes R13,587-million, the South African Police Service R3,859-million and the Department of Defence R1,225-million.
In a reply to questions, Hlongwa said accounts were submitted to these departments for payment, but they delayed settling their debts.
”Statements are sent, reminder letters, and telephonic follow-ups are made. Meetings are held with these departments,” the reply read.
Bloom said failure to pay by these departments means that ordinary people suffer in under-resourced hospitals. ”The Gauteng health department should be more forceful in getting payment from these departments,” he said. — Sapa