By Charles Molele
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has opened a corruption case against Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson.
Macpherson is accused of interfering in Independent Development Trust (IDT) tender processes, violating National Treasury Regulations, and breaching the Executive Members Ethics Act.
The party opened the case on Wednesday morning at the Pretoria Central Police Station in Tshwane.
EFF Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini said that the red berets have provided sufficient evidence to the police implicating McPherson in corruption.
He accused Macpherson of bypassing the IDT’s executive leadership and board, choosing instead to email a junior staff member, asking for a report on the payment delays.
“We have submitted sufficient evidence to the police, minimizing the need for extensive investigation. The email will be shared,” Dlamini said.
“We believe the evidence clearly demonstrates his singular agenda to ensure payment to this company, despite objections from staff. In tender processes, variations are permissible, but they must be authorized explicitly, not as an open-ended commitment.”
Macpherson’s letter, reads: “Can I please receive an urgent report on why IDT has not done this and resolved this matter despite assurances that this would be done?”
Macpherson claimed the allegations were an attempt to undermine the appointment of an independent firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, to investigate the circumstances surrounding an R800-million oxygen plant tender.
He maintained that the claim of intervention failed to take into account that Lonerock Construction, appointed to rehabilitate sinkholes at the Waterkloof Air Force Base as part of a project managed on behalf of the department, had not been paid since July last year, and was owed almost R19 million.
“The independent investigation will, once and for all, determine whether irregularities occurred during the Oxygen Plant tendering process and whether any further action should be taken against complicit individuals. This move forms part of the critical steps we are taking to improve transparency and governance within the Department, ensuring no wastage of public funds has occurred,” Macpherson said.
“As the Minister, I cannot turn a blind eye when serious allegations are raised regarding close to R1 billion of public money. This is why the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure will not be distracted by the noise surrounding the Oxygen Plant tendering process but will take all necessary actions to uncover the truth and hold officials accountable where required. The independent investigation should, therefore, be welcomed, as it will also clear any innocent individuals.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA) dismissed the claims, praising Macpherson for exposing and investigating corruption, including a major scandal involving an irregularly awarded R800-million oxygen tender by IDT.
“The ongoing investigations into the R800-million oxygen plant tender, riddled with irregularities such as unqualified bidders and fraudulent documentation, underscore the Minister’s commitment to transparency and accountability. The Department’s appointment of PwC to conduct an independent forensic investigation is a critical step in ensuring good, transparent governance and the protection of our public funds,” said Edwin Bath, DA Deputy Spokesperson on Public Works & Infrastructure.
“It is deeply concerning that certain political parties in Parliament, as well as some members of business sectors and the media, have sought to shield corrupt practices by levelling baseless accusations against the Minister. These claims are not only misleading but also indicative of a broader effort to derail the fight against corruption. It is not dissimilar to what we saw under State Capture.”
ActionSA, on the other hand, urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to suspend Macpherson pending investigation into criminal and ethical conduct allegations.
“These allegations, if proven true, represent a grave breach of public trust and demand urgent action,” said ActionSA Member of Parliament Malebo Kobe.
“South Africans deserve transparency and accountability, and we will not stand by while these serious allegations are swept under the rug. Now that formal complaints and charges have been filed, the critical next step is ensuring that the competent authorities, namely the Public Protector and the Hawks, conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. The public must have confidence that those entrusted with governance uphold the highest ethical standards.”
INSIDE METROS