The Public Protector has cleared Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson of all allegations of ethical misconduct in a complaint by the EFF, finding that he did not abuse his power or breach the Executive Ethics Code.
The EFF accused the minister of abusing his office to improperly intervene in the affairs of the Independent Development Trust (IDT).
In a report seen by , the Public Protector Adv. Kholeka Gcaleka found that Macpherson’s conduct did not breach the Executive Ethics Code or section 96 of the Constitution.
The investigation concluded that the Minister acted within his authority, complied with National Treasury regulations, and exercised no undue influence in his engagement with the embattled public entity.
The EFF lodged the complaint in January 2025, alleging that Macpherson had improperly interfered in the IDT’s operations after enquiring about delayed payments to a service provider.
The party claimed his intervention amounted to political overreach and ethical misconduct.
At the heart of the dispute were longstanding delays in payments to contractors—delays that have become a defining feature of dysfunction across several state entities.
Following a comprehensive probe under the Executive Members’ Ethics Act of 1998, the Public Protector found the allegations unsubstantiated.
Gcaleka ruled that Macpherson’s actions were consistent with cooperative governance and aimed at resolving a prolonged payment issue, in line with Treasury rules requiring service providers to be paid within 30 days.
Crucially, the report found no evidence of bribery, favouritism, conflict of interest, abuse of power, or undue influence.
It also dismissed claims, widely circulated in political discourse, that journalists had been bribed, noting that the complainant failed to provide any proof to support such assertions.
Macpherson welcomed the findings, describing them as a vindication and accusing the EFF, supported by ActionSA, of pursuing a politically motivated campaign designed to derail efforts to clean up the IDT.
ActionSA had previously called for his suspension while the investigation was underway.
“This complaint was never about ethics or accountability,” Macpherson said in a statement.
“It was about obstructing reform at a time when sensitive investigations were underway, including those linked to the R800 million oxygen plant tender.”
Gcaleka also noted that the complainant failed to respond after a draft report was circulated to parties in October 2025, a factor that further weakened the credibility of the allegations.
The investigation nonetheless consumed public resources and months of institutional time.
The IDT has for years been plagued by allegations of misgovernance, institutional collapse and waste, failures that mirror broader frustrations across the country.
Against that backdrop, Macpherson argued that accountability and reform at entities like the IDT were essential to restoring public trust and ensuring that social infrastructure reaches communities in need, particularly in rural and neglected urban areas.
“The Public Protector’s report vindicates our actions to stabilise and reform the IDT so that it can fulfil its mandate of delivering social infrastructure to communities across the country, in both rural and urban areas.
“As we said when these complaints first emerged, we will not be deterred from restoring good governance and accountability within the department and its entities,” he said.
The Minister said he is considering civil litigation against individuals and political parties that, he claims, knowingly spread false allegations.
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