Macpherson says he won’t be deterred from probing IDT, despite threats against life
The Minister gave the media an update in Cape Town on Sunday on the investigation into the IDT’s R800 billion oxygen plant tender, which is riddled with allegations of corruption and the appointment of ghost contractors.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson on Sunday, 6 April 2025 gave an update on the IDT R800 million tender investigation in Parliament. Picture: Babalo Ndenze / Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson is determined to uncover corruption linked to a R800 million oxygen tender.
He announced that senior politicians would be implicated as part of an independent investigation into the Independent Development Trust's (IDT) tender process.
During a media briefing in Cape Town on Sunday, Macpherson emphasised that the investigation, being conducted by audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), would reveal any malfeasance despite facing a “coordinated fightback campaign.”
Among the allegations is a claim that a ghost company had been awarded a R428 million share of the oxygen plant tender possibly with fraudulent documentation.
Macpherson said that while the probe is still ongoing, senior politicians would be exposed.
“And I have no doubt as the PwC investigation continues and the results are publicly released it will be senior politicians and officials who are exposed. Let me be clear, I will not be deterred by smear campaigns and political pressure.”
The contract was meant to install oxygen infrastructure at 55 public health facilities across the country but has since been cancelled.
Macpherson said despite the political noise and attacks on his character, progress was being made, and the report should be ready by May.