Lack of cooperation delays probe into tender

An investigation by accounting firm PwC into the allegedly irregular and corrupt R836 million hospital oxygen plant tender managed by the Independent Development Trust (IDT) has been delayed by a lack of cooperation by the trust.

- Roy Cokayne

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson confirmed this on Sunday in an update on the investigation and said he would recommend that the IDT board authorise lifestyle audits across the senior personnel of the trust.

"I will not interfere or intervene in how the board conducts lifestyle audits, should it choose to do so. I will simply make a recommendation and make my view known, but [then it] is up to the board to deliberate on it," he said.

Macpherson said little did he know that launching an independent investigation into the tender would be the start of a coordinated fightback against him and the department of public works and infrastructure (DPWI) in an attempt to shield the IDT from accountability.

Threats Macpherson spoke about a coordinated campaign by some media outlets, political parties and previously unheard-of entities attempting to discredit him.