WATCH: ‘Threats won’t stop me’ – Macpherson fights back in R800m probe

Macpherson

Cape Town – Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson has vowed to continue investigating alleged corruption in an R800 million oxygen plant tender, despite facing smear campaigns, political pressure, and even death threats.

The tender, awarded for air purification systems for the Department of Health (DoH), saw its budget rise from R256 million to R836 million before being cancelled, The Citizen reported.

Macpherson said that the ongoing PWC investigation would expose senior politicians and officials involved in corruption.

“Let me be clear, I will not be deterred by smear campaigns or political pressure or even threats against my life.

“My mandate is to clean up the department and to make it an economic delivery unit, and that is exactly what I intend to do, relentlessly and despite the noise and the intimidation I’ve experienced, we remain determined to reach our goals,” Macpherson said.

He expects the final report by May 2025 and vowed to release it publicly. Despite receiving threats, he reaffirmed his commitment to tackling corruption.

According to IOL, Macpherson also dismissed allegations from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) that he improperly intervened in an Independent Development Trust (IDT) payment delay to Lonerock Construction.

The EFF accused him of bypassing IDT governance and pressuring a junior employee to expedite payment, citing an email as evidence.

Macpherson denied wrongdoing, calling it a smear campaign, and noted that police had not questioned him.

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