THE ANC in Limpopo has effectively taken over the allocation of tenders from its own government.

The powers to allocate tenders now reside with the interim ANC provincial leadership chaired by Falaza Mdaka. The interim leadership, known as the provincial task team (PTT), yesterday instructed embattled Premier Cassel Mathale and his cabinet to stop appointing service providers.

Sello Lediga, spokesman for the PTT, confirmed yesterday that there was a moratorium on the issuing of tenders.

"It is true that the PTT has decided on a moratorium on the awarding of tenders. The PTT will from now on handle those affairs after they were removed from Mathale."

Sowetan understands that Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi presided over the meeting at Frans Mohlala House - ANC's provincial offices - in Polokwane yesterday where the decision was announced to Mathale.

This means Mathale and his MECs will only enjoy the status of leading their departments while they would have no control over the purse.

Mashadi Mathosa, Mathale's spokeswoman, said she was not aware of such a meeting having taken place.

ANC national executive committee (NEC) member and Limpopo convener Ruth Bhengu confirmed that the meeting took place.

"We have communicated to Mathale that he no longer has powers because he's no longer the provincial chairman of the ANC," Bhengu said.

Mathale's ANC provincial executive committee was disbanded two weeks ago by the ruling party's NEC after party members accused the movement of factionalism.

The task team was then established.

In December 2011, five provincial departments were placed under administration after they had exhausted their budgets. Since then, the departments of health, education, roads and transport and treasury have been administered from Pretoria.

Several businessmen close to Mathale are facing charges ranging from money laundering and fraud after benefiting from government tenders in which some procurement processes were not followed. - frankm@sowetan.co.za