ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CITY CLARIFIES STATUS OF SUPPLIER PAYMENTS AND ONLINE INVOICING PORTAL
EThekwini Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba has assured suppliers with valid invoices that they will receive payment.
This follows concerns raised by suppliers about delays in processing their invoices as a result of the new Online Invoicing system.
To demonstrate that payments are ongoing, since the beginning of April, over 6 000 invoices, amounting to approximately R800 million, have already been paid.
A further 1 837 invoices are approved for payment and scheduled to be settled, in line with applicable payment terms.
In addition, more than 5 000 invoices are currently in the system at various stages of the approval processes.
Mayor Xaba was speaking today, 29 April, at a media briefing held at the EXCO Boardroom, City Hall.
The digitisation of the City’s procurement process ensures strengthening of financial governance, improving supplier payment processes, and advancing the City’s digital transformation agenda.
The implementation is guided by the Municipal Finance Management Act regulations, particularly the implementation of the Municipal Standard Chart of Accounts (mSCOA).
This reform requires municipalities to fundamentally transform how financial information is structured, recorded, and reported, with the aim of improving transparency, accountability, and alignment between planning, budgeting, and service delivery.
Mayor Xaba explained:
“EThekwini Municipality adopted the mSCOA roadmap, in line with MFMA regulations, undertaking system upgrades, process re-engineering, and organisational change across all departments. As with many municipalities, this transition has been complex and has required sustained effort over a number of years.”
He further added that the Auditor General and Internal Audit identified areas requiring improvement, particularly relating to data integrity, system controls, and compliance with regulatory requirements, including the payment of suppliers within prescribed timeframes.
“We have taken these findings seriously and implemented corrective measures to address them.
The Supply Chain Management and Expenditure Directorates initiated, over the last few years, a project to develop an Online Supplier Invoice Management System - a secure digital portal that enables suppliers to submit invoices against approved orders and track their payment status in real time.”
Benefits of the Online Invoicing Portal include:
- End-to-end visibility of invoices from submission through to payment, supported by comprehensive audit trails and proper segregation of duties.
- Embedding controls within automated approval workflows to ensure compliance with budget checking, SCM, mSCOA, MFMA, and audit requirements
- Reducing invoice processing times through the elimination of manual and paper-based processes
- Transitioning towards a paperless environment, thereby improving governance, record-keeping, and traceability
- Supporting three-way matching for contract payments, in line with mSCOA requirements, to ensure accuracy and proper financial management within the financial year
- Providing secure digital storage of all payment-related documentation
- Advancing the Municipality’s broader digital transformation agenda
- Modernisation of Supply Chain Management processes, building on existing supplier self-service platforms and improving how the Municipality engages with its service providers
With regards to the current challenges, the City has taken a proactive stance by facilitating ongoing training programmes for officials and suppliers.
Dedicated support mechanisms have also been established to assist users and resolve issues efficiently.
These have resulted in improved system utilisation, enhanced compliance with invoicing requirements, and better monitoring of payment turnaround times.
Councillor Xaba said:
“Our focus remains on stabilising the system, embedding best practices, and ensuring that all valid invoices are processed and paid within 30 days.”
Suppliers are urged to submit their invoices, with all supporting documentation within prescribed timeframes to ensure seamless payments.
For those experiencing difficulties or lacking access to computers, assistance is available at the relevant line departments.
From 4 May 2026, service providers may also visit Sizakala Centres for support with uploading invoices to their profiles on the portal.
The Municipality will continue with training, and service providers are encouraged to attend.
In addition to the videos provided on the City’s YouTube platform, training may also be requested by emailing Accountspay.ewfqueries@durban.gov.za.
ENDS
ISSUED BY ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY’S MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE
