Public Works Minister Macpherson says he won't be discouraged from cleaning up IDT

JOHANNESBURG - Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson says officials at the Independent Development Trust have pushed back at attempts to clean up the entity as a political battle for the soul of the state-owned entity continues.

The entity which falls under public works has been at the centre of corruption allegations for some time now.

The latest claims prompted an independent probe by audit firm PWC into an R800-million oxygen plant tender.

IDT is also battling financial turmoil amid legal challenges and a lack of funding.

Macpherson who is currently at odds with some IDT management said he will not be detracted.

“I’ve never seen so much vested interest in an organisation like the IDT, from political parties to lobby groups, to forums to AI-generated voice notes of myself creating fictitious conversations with myself. There is a massive campaign that is waged by some political parties and anonymous organisations and some known organisations to protect corruption," said Macpherson.