The KwaZulu-Natal department of health is in a shambles and owes service providers R1.7bn. This comes after the provincial department was in the news for alleged medicine shortages. Earlier this week, scores of service providers embarked on a protest march demanding their money. Some said the department had not paid them for more than a year. They included SMMEs, which are – according to legislation – supposed to be paid within a month of rendering services. Thabiso Kotane speaks to KZN Portfolio Committee for Health Chairperson, Dr. Imran Keeka.