KZN Transport Department go on crisis management to clear R2.6 billion contractor backlog

MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma (left).
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11-05-2026
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Eyewitnessnews
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The department has come under growing pressure over unpaid invoices to service providers working on critical road maintenance, construction and upgrade projects.



The KwaZulu-Natal ( KZN ) Transport Department has set up a war room to speed up the clearing of a backlog in payments to contractors.



The department has come under growing pressure over unpaid invoices to service providers working on critical road maintenance, construction and upgrade projects.



This week, more than 200 contractors met urgently with the department, raising concerns about unpaid invoices and stalled projects.



The department blamed technical glitches and cash-flow constraints at the provincial treasury for the delays.



But the KZN Treasury said that the Transport Department started the financial year with more than R2.6 billion in unpaid accruals and invoices.



Transport Department Spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, said that some affected contractors and service providers have confirmed that payments are now being received.



"As of today, we have paid R700 million to contractors and service providers. As we emphasised, despite challenges, through collective wisdom, nothing will stand between a prosperous KwaZulu-Natal and us. Importantly, the head of the department, Zibusiso Dlamini, met with the entire management as part of the implementation of the Merebank resolutions. Flowing from above, the head is setting up a system and assigning a team from finance that will be on standby to communicate with contractors and service providers."



 

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