Parliament on collision course with Macpherson over alleged irregularities in hospital oxygen tender
The Public Works portfolio committee chairperson - Carol Phiri - says the allegations lack substance and material evidence.
Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson pictured with IDT chairperson Kwazi Mshengu to his immediate left after a meeting on 13 November 2024. Picture: Department Public Works.
CAPE TOWN - Parliament’s Public Works committee appears to be on a collision course with Minister Dean Macpherson over his handling of alleged irregularities in a multi-million rand tender to supply oxygen to more than 50 public hospitals.
The Public Works portfolio committee chairperson, Carol Phiri, says the allegations lack substance and material evidence.
Macpherson announced last week that he would launch an investigation into the R800 million tender awarded by the Independent Development Trust (IDT) on behalf of the Department of Health.
The revelations were first made by the Daily Maverick in October that at least two of the three companies involved don’t have regulatory approval to supply the oxygen.
In a statement, Phiri accuses Macpherson of never having met with the IDT since his appointment and allegedly engaging with the entity only in writing.
Phiri says she met with the IDT last week because she believes Macpherson’s handling of the matter is erosive to the institution’s integrity.
She says the Hawks should be allowed time to continue its investigation before aspersions of wrongdoing are made.
“The committee is concerned that the minister is talking to the entity through the media which is deeply concerning. The ongoing media onslaught against the IDT could have been avoided had the minister requested to meet with the IDT to provide him with clarity on the PSA oxygen project,”
Phiri says she’s encouraged by the IDT's proactivity to bring itself back from the brink of collapse with contracts worth only R2 billion a year ago to R9 billion.
Macpherson on the other hand remains concerned that the IDT has not been able to present its latest financial statements.
However, Macpherson says it’s untrue that he’s not met with the IDT.
He provided Eyewitness News with a photo after last month's meeting when the IDT’s quarterly performance was discussed.
“When you are dealing with serious allegations such as the ones made against the IDT, the most responsible way to deal with them is through writing to ensure there is a record and paper trail - which is what I have meticulously done.”
According to Macpherson, Phiri has not sought any information from him or his office about the irregularities.
Moreover, Phiri has not responded to his attempts to contact her.