African Oxygen (Afrox), a major supplier of medical gases to SA’s state hospitals, launched a High Court case against the National and Provincial Health Departments over R360m in unpaid invoices, some dating back to 2017. – Business Day (22 Jan 2026)
Aafrox argues that all nine provincial health departments have become chronic late payers and demands payments of the outstanding amounts, plus accumulating interest., based on Treasury rules that require departments to pay suppliers within 30 days.
Eastern Cape owes Afrox R90m; Gauteng R57m; Northern Cape R34m; KwaZulu-Natal R31m; NorthWest R28m; Free State R24m; Limpopo R24m; and Mpumalanga and the Western Cape R15m each..
The Western Cape is opposing the application.
A recent report by the Auditor-General placed eight provinces “in the red” for R24bn in unpaid bills, adding to evidence that late payment is now systemic rather than occasional.”