‘Limpopo premier wants Treasury out’

Moloko Moloto

Limpopo Premier Cassel Mathale. Picture: Moloko Moloto.

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Limpopo premier Cassel Mathale wants the Treasury, which took over administration of five provincial departments, out of the province, the Sunday Times reports.

Mathale said it was time the intervention came to an end as it had achieved its objectives.

“We have made tremendous progress. Depending on how national (government) interprets things, they will have to review their presence,” Mathale was quoted as saying.

In December 2011, the Treasury took over administration of the departments of health, education, roads and transport, public works, and treasury. This came after the province asked for a R1.77 billion overdraft from national Treasury. Since then the province had gone from having a R1.7 billion overdraft to a R2 billion surplus.

Treasury said the decision to withdraw from the province could only be made by the Cabinet and the National Council of Provinces.

The improved financial position had not been achieved because of delays in the payment of suppliers, Treasury spokesman Jabulani Sikhakhane said.

“The value of outstanding payments has declined from R1.2 billion when intervention began, to R250 million currently.

“The reduction in the level of expenditure has occurred mainly as a result of reducing waste and irregular payments and has therefore not been at the expense of the delivery of services in the province.” - Sapa