The Gauteng Health Department has more than 34 000 duplicated invoices. PHOTO: Provincial Government of South Africa
Gauteng Health has tens of thousands of duplicated invoices
The Health Department’s electronic invoice submission system has led to the duplication of tens of thousands of invoices.
The Gauteng Health Department has more than 34 000 duplicated invoices. PHOTO: Provincial Government of South Africa
The Gauteng department of health is at risk of paying way more for its services due to the electronic system capturing more than 34 000 duplicate invoices.
GAUTENG HEALTH ELECTRONIC SYSTEM COULD LEAD TO FRAUD
The Gauteng health department could be paying more for services rendered by service providers due to the Electronic Invoice Submission (EIS) system.
The system allows suppliers to upload their invoices. If not carefully monitored, these invoices could be paid twice for services delivered, Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Gauteng shadow MEC for Finance and e-Government Adriana Randall said.
MORE THAN 34 THOUSAND DUPLICATE INVOICES
The Gauteng health department answered questions tabled by the DA in the provincial legislature.
It revealed that the Department of Health had a total of 34 856 duplicated invoices uploaded onto the system. These invoices are for the period between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022, said Randall.
“This amounts to a total of R24 256 537 105, 09. The Department of Infrastructure had 650 duplicate invoices submitted through the EIS system, amounting to R143 716 057,71.”
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GAUTENG HEALTH IS THE DEPARTMENT WITH THE HIGHEST DUPLICATES
It turns out the Gauteng health department has the highest number of duplicate invoices submitted compared to other provincial governments.
This indicates a loophole in the current system, opening the door for fraud and corruption to take place, said Randall.
“Our taxpayers cannot afford to have such a loophole that exists in the government invoicing and payment system. Each department has a limited budget and this crack in the system is putting an even greater strain on the budget.
Fortunately, none of the duplicate invoices has been paid but human error could occur.
“There may be problems with the system while uploading invoices, the fact that only one department appears to have a high number is very concerning and warrants further investigation.”
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