Govt urged to continue paying SMMEs

As COVID-19 continues to put businesses under immense pressure and jobs on the line, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has encouraged departments to engage suppliers to resolve outstanding payments and speedily process small medium micro enterprises' (SMME) invoices. This is in a bid to minimise the negative impact of the lockdown on business and jobs.

“Business is under enormous duress now, with most facing a bleak future due to the nationwide lockdown. Departments are urged to put measures in place to ensure that all suppliers, in particular, small businesses are paid for services rendered and goods delivered,” the PSC said.

It reiterated that the Public

Finance Management Act (PFMA) still applies and all efforts must be made to ensure that suppliers can also continue to operate and pay their staff and suppliers beyond the lockdown.

PSC spokesperson, Humphrey Ramafoko said non-compliance with the PFMA must be viewed as transgression and must be treated as such.

“Failure to pay suppliers on time has dire consequences for the

sustainability of SMME's, impacts negatively on the government's job creation initiatives particularly during this period when government is trying to prevent massive job losses and compromises government's performance and service delivery.”

Strategies should be in place to deal with the 30-day requirement for payment of suppliers, the payment of contract workers as well as processing documents with speed for those exiting the system.

“Furthermore, the PSC encourages departments to put in place supportive measures for public servants that retired during the lockdown period,” he added.