The Eastern Cape Department of Transport has confirmed that all the outstanding scholar transport operators’ payments, where invoices were submitted and verified by January 24, have been paid last week as promised.
According to the spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Unathi Binqose, the one-week delay in payment of December invoices was not due to unavailability of money, but rather down to other technical glitches which have since been addressed.
“The challenge of technical problems that resulted in the delay in payments was communicated.
“It is for that reason that the department was taken aback by a voice note, allegedly circulated by a section of SANTACO, threatening parents not to send their children to school, or risk them being dragged out of classrooms on the same day that the department settled outstanding claims,” he said.
Transport MEC, Xolile Nqatha, has applauded department officials for delivering on their promise and called for calm heads in dealing with a matter as sensitive as children’s future.
“Scholar transport is bigger than any individual interests. It is about the future of our children and thus, it must be treated with a great sense of care and responsibility. As the government we have a responsibility that we are committing to, to pay service providers and communicate where we encounter challenges, but still pay eventually,” said Nqatha.
On scholar transport operators, Nqatha stressed the need to strike a balance between rights and responsibilities.
“We do not wish to downplay the impact delayed payments may have on them and their families. However, we must implore them to reflect on some of the messages they communicate to the community, and refrain from making their right to protest an opportunity to trample on the rights of fellow citizens, including the children’s right to learn.”
The department is busy processing invoices that were submitted late, while awaiting the submission of January invoices.
