The Eastern Cape government has committed to paying all outstanding, compliant invoices of scholar transport operators by Thursday and clearing payment backlogs by the 16th of November. Premier Oscar Mabuyane held a meeting with scholar transport operators in East London on Wednesday, following a two-day shutdown by the operators over delayed payments for their services, in some cases dating back as far as April.
The service providers say the payment delays are detrimental to their businesses and negatively affect their livelihoods.
"Government has been tossing us from pillar to post. They have failed to keep the 25th day of the month equally. So, they have failed to keep the 30-day payment after 30 days after submitting invoices. To make things even more worse, now we have got outstanding payments as far as April to date. You can imagine then how one is expected to work support the family, pay the fees for the children. It's just an unattainable situation," says Manelisi Siguqa, EC Small Bus Operators Council Secretary.