Macpherson cites no proof to substantiate allegations MPs received money from IDT

CAPE TOWN - Minister of Public Works Dean Macpherson said there’s currently no proof to substantiate allegations that parliamentarians received money from the embattled Independent Development Trust (IDT).

The trust, which implements big infrastructure projects on behalf of the department, has been in the spotlight after its suspended CEO, Tebogo Malaka, was captured on secret camera footage seemingly attempting to offer a bribe to a Daily Maverick investigative journalist, Pieter-Louis Myburgh.

Macpherson has told Parliament that he’s baffled that Malaka, against whom he also laid a criminal complaint, has not yet been arrested.

Defending the choice of PWC firm to investigate corruption allegations in a tender for the supply of oxygen at more than 50 hospitals, Macpherson on Wednesday told the National Assembly that it was worth the cost.

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Macpherson said while a whistleblower’s claim that members of Parliament (MPs) received kickbacks from the IDT remains unproven, the conduct of political parties in relation to this matter has been concerning.

“To continually repeat false narratives, to delegitimise the investigation into the IDT and cover it up, it has really worried me as to why that took place among so many political parties.”

Macpherson said it’s up to the IDT board to take disciplinary action against Malaka.

“It’s not like no one didn’t see what happened on that tape. There was a clear intent to bribe Mr Myburgh, and I, for one, can’t explain why the CEO has not been arrested.”

Macpherson believes this scandal is only the start of more rot that is yet to be uncovered at the trust.