JOHANNESBURG -  "Government should be doing everything in its power to grow the economy and make it easier for small businesses to succeed," he said in a statement on Friday, after handing over the document.

"Unfortunately the... [health] department is doing the exact opposite by not paying their bills."

Maimane was accompanied by a colleague and former small business owner Vorster Rasodi, who is owed money by the department.

"In short, the... department killed Mr Rasodi's business by not paying its bills. Mr Rasodi has been struggling to receive payment... for 12 years now."

Rasodi, ex-owner of Dikolobedi Transport CC, provided transportation services to the department between 2000 and 2002 after a tender process.

"Unfortunately, Dikolobedi Transport has had to close down since then, primarily because the... department didn't pay the money it owed," said Maimane.

"We are demanding that the department meet with Mr Rasodi within 10 days to resolve this matter once and for all."

Comment from the provincial health department could not be obtained immediately.