DA rejects corruption allegations made against Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson

Dean Macpherson

Cape Town — The Democratic Alliance (DA) rejected the allegations made against Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson that had been made by political consultant, JJ Tabane.

In a statement, the DA said it was suspicious and transparent that the allegations come after Macpherson began exposing and investigating corruption, including an R800 million scandal involving an oxygen tender awarded by the Independent Development Trust (IDT) within his department.

“Minister Macpherson is doing the right thing by unearthing and investigating serious corruption, and by stopping the IDT deal. It is a new culture of corruption-busting, which is what the DA proudly brings to government when we come into office,” DA spokesperson, Willie Aucamp said.

Aucamp said that any irregular dealings to the value of R800 million will make targets of those cleaning up but Macpherson would not be deterred. He described the situation as similar to that of the State Capture days and the pushback was a Bell Pottinger fight back.

Aucamp accused the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) of taking an opportunistic chance to communicate on the matter as an effort to seek relevance and also revealed that since Thaben made his claims, it has since been contradicted.

“The fight for the future of South Africa, free of corruption, with a rebuilt economy, growth and jobs, is worth every bit of false slander and personal defamation because South Africa is more important. We will not relent, and the DA will not be intimidated or deterred,” Aucamp concluded.

In a statement, the EFF revealed it opened a case against Minister Macpherson, claiming his corrupt interference in tender processes at the IDT. The party claimed that Macpherson violated the National Treasury Regulations and violation of the Executive Members Ethics Act.

The party opened the case at the SAPS Pretoria Central Police Station.

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, EFF secretary-general Marshal Dlamini said they gave SAPS enough evidence to prove his involvement in the saga.

Dlamini said Macpherson has no interest in running the department and instead his focus is mainly on tenders, claiming he does not want to contribute to the Department.

One of the pieces of evidence is an email that the EFF is using as proof against Macpherson that purports to show that he instructed IDT employees to help a contractor get funds.

“We believe there’s enough evidence to show that his only interest is to say this company must be paid. Even when the staff members, when they respond, they say we can’t facilitate that,” Dlamini said.

Dlamini said the EFF has an email showing Macpherson’s involvement and he cannot deny it.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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