I am afraid that's overreach, Mr Minister

Macpherson has no business trying to micro-manage the IDT

- Lebo Keswa

In any constitutional democracy, the relationship between ministerial authority and independent public entities must be guided by transparency, lawful governance, and respect for institutional mandates. Yet, the unfolding conflict between Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson and the Independent Development Trust (IDT) reveals a disturbing erosion of these principles, marked by political heavy-handedness, operational meddling, and mounting legal threats.

The IDT, a schedule two entity with a mandate to implement social infrastructure projects such as schools, clinics and public utilities, has found itself at the epicentre of a political storm. The catalyst: a series of direct interventions by Macpherson into the IDT's procurement and operational processes, most notably, the controversial pressure swing adsorption oxygen plant project for public hospitals, where tender values ballooned from R216-million to over R800-million.

Since his appointment in July 2024, Macpherson has positioned himself as a reformer, intent on rooting out corruption within the IDT. He has cited suspicious documentation, expired regulatory certificates, and ghost addresses among bidders to justify aggressive action. His supporters view this approach as essential, especially after years of tender manipulation across state institutions.