The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has opened a case of corruption against the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, for allegedly interfering in the Independent Development Trust (IDT).
The IDT is an entity under the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. According to reports, Macpherson allegedly bribed a journalist to write negatively about the IDT, hoping to replace its chief executive officer (CEO) with an individual aligned with his party, the Democratic Alliance (DA). Additionally, he allegedly acted out of his jurisdiction when he demanded payment for a contractor.
EFF OPENS CORRUPTION CASE AGAINST DEAN MACPHERSON
Speaking outside the Pretoria Central police station, EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini told journalists that Macpherson has got no role in the financial or operational matters of the IDT.
“To demonstrate his interest in running that department, he engages only in corrupt activities. The Department of Public Works has different entities, such as the CIDB and CBE. It’s only IDT that focuses on assisting various departments with social infrastructure, and that’s where you find tenders.
“He’s got no interest in infrastructure development of this country as it is part of the mandate of public work to ensure that we’ve got better infrastructure that allows people to move around. He’s only interested in tenders, so he went straight to IDT and left the DG and the board. He goes to a staff member to demand payment for a specific contractor when IDT does not work only in Tshwane but has projects nationwide. He goes and pulls one specific white-owned construction company called Lonerock Construction,” he said.
The IDT reportedly appointed Lonerock Construction to rehabilitate sink holes at Waterkloof Airforce Base in Tshwane.
Further, Dlamini said they’ve given police enough evidence to prove that there are corrupt activities between Macpherson and Lonerock Construction.
DA REFUTES CORRUPTION CLAIMS
Dean Macpherson’s party has defended him saying these allegations come just as he is “exposing, investigating and stopping serious corruption – including an R800-million scandal involving an oxygen tender awarded irregularly by the IDT within his department”.
“IDT is an entity that has been unable to submit audited financials since August last year, and has now run out of money under shambolic leadership. Getting in the way of irregular dealings to the value of R800-million will naturally make targets of those cleaning up, but we won’t be deterred at all,” DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp said.
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