How mate can be made to provide commission (7)

I believe the answer is:

mandate

'provide commission' is the definition.
(mandate can mean to give authority or commission)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for mandate that I've seen before include "Official order or commission to do something" , "approval" , "Decree" , "Official command; commission" , "Authorization, official instruction" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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