Johannesburg – A recent report that R12m was unaccounted for in the Limpopo ANC’s books was wrong, a spokesperson for ANC’s task team has said.

“The provincial task team (PTT) of the African National Congress in Limpopo categorically denies media reports that an amount of R12m is unaccounted for in its books,” Sello Lediga said in a statement on Sunday.

“We have no idea where this figure comes from.”

Last week it was reported that the PTT, which dissolved the party’s provincial leadership and was restructuring its representation there, found only R700 in its account, and that the larger amount was unaccounted for.

Lediga said following its appointment in March this year, the PTT had received numerous claims for payment from suppliers.

These had strained the organisation’s limited resources, causing the PTT to verify its debtors’ book in order to authenticate the correctness of the claims.

Provincial depts under admin

Lediga said it was correct that there was R700 in the account when the team arrived.

“To conduct a proper and credible verification process, the organisation decided to put one official on leave until such time that the verification was concluded. The official has since resigned,” he said.

The process was still underway.

According to a report in The Star, the money came from the legislature and was given to each party represented there. 

The amounts varied according to the size of the party’s representation, and were meant for party political work.

In December 2011, five provincial government departments were placed under administration because of allegations of corruption and violations of the Public Finance Management Act.

Apart from dissolving structures, other changes in the province since the PTT arrived included premier Cassel Mathale resigning after being “recalled”, new premier Stanley Mathabatha being sworn in, and a reshuffle of MECs. 

SAPA