Macpherson's move to probe R800m oxygen tender divides Parly committee
DA MP Edwin Bath has questioned the actions of committee chairperson, Carol Phiri, and her defence of the IDT, which facilitated the tender award on behalf of the health department.
FILE: 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 - A decision by Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson to investigate an R800 million tender for the supply of oxygen to public hospitals has divided Parliament’s portfolio committee.
Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Edwin Bath has questioned the actions of committee chairperson, Carol Phiri, and her defence of the Independent Development Trust (IDT), which facilitated the tender award on behalf of the health department.
He said that a statement issued on behalf of the portfolio committee criticising Macpherson's response to the corruption allegations did not represent the views of all its members.
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In October, the Daily Maverick blew the lid on the tender award made to three companies which are suspected not to have regulatory approval to provide oxygen to over 50 state facilities.
Bath is questioning why public works committee chairperson, Carol Phiri, met with the IDT last week without informing nor inviting committee members.
He said that no minutes of the discussions had since been shared.
After that meeting, Phiri said that Macpherson had never met with the IDT, which disputed this week, providing EWN with photographic evidence that he had met to discuss the trust’s quarterly performance.
Bath is now questioning Phiri's intentions, saying she's undermining Macpherson efforts to investigate the fraud allegations, and she should rather have invited Macpherson to the committee to explain himself.
Phiri said in the parliamentary statement that the allegations against the IDT lacked substance and material evidence.
But Bath said if the Hawks were investigating the matter, this could not be true.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has also indicated he's considering cancelling the tender.
"Instead of supporting the minister's work to investigate and root out corruption, the chairperson seems intent on attacking and obstructing him. This behaviour raises serious questions about her motives and priorities," said Bath.
Last week, Macpherson said the IDT could not investigate itself and besides, its board was also not quorate to take such a decision.