MPs lambast DPWI for failing to table forensic report on IDT oxygen plant tender

Parliament’s public works committee has lambasted the department for failing to table the forensic report of an independent investigation into an oxygen supply tender for state hospitals originally awarded to the Independent Development Trust (IDT).  

MPs on Wednesday took a dim view of intentions to present them with a summary of the report, saying they were repeatedly being undermined by the department.

In a letter to the committee, Minister Dean Macpherson said that releasing the report would compromise ongoing actions that flow from it, but committee chairperson, Carol Phiri, has hit back, saying he'd already made findings known through the media and he was treating the committee with disdain.

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What was supposed to be a presentation of a forensic report compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) into a more than R800 million oxygen plant tender turned into a two-hour-long tongue-lashing from MPs to the department.

The African National Congress (ANC)'s Sipho Mahlangu: "The way the minister has seen the report, we want to see the report and make our own conclusion."

ActionSA's Malebo Kobe: "If we ask, as the portfolio committee, for a forensic report, that’s exactly what we should get. And if we don’t get it, do not make an appearance."

Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala was at pains to explain that releasing the report could jeopardise disciplinary matters and criminal investigations.  

The report has led to the suspension of IDT CEO, Tebogo Malaka, who was captured in a secret video by the Daily Maverick attempting to offer an alleged bribe to a journalist.

The scope of the PWC investigation has also been expanded at the health minister’s request to include officials in that department.

"If we don’t follow procedures, we will compromise processes. That will be dereliction of duty."

But Phiri was having none of it, saying she would write to the Speaker to complain about a repeated lack of cooperation from the department to table documents on time.

IDT board chairperson, Zimbini Hill, and trustee, Neil Jansen, were present but not afforded the opportunity to address the committee.