The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has filed a criminal case against Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson, accusing him of corruption. The party alleges that Macpherson sent an email directing a junior staff member at the Independent Development Trust (IDT) to process a payment to Lonerock Construction, a company the EFF claims is white-owned. The minister has denied the accusations, while tensions escalate between him, IDT officials, and the board. The EFF also accuses Macpherson of collaborating with the Democratic Alliance (DA) to misuse state institutions for the benefit of “white monopoly capital.”
The allegations stem from a December 2024 email, in which Macpherson allegedly instructed an IDT program manager to facilitate the payment to Lonerock Construction. The email reportedly states: “You will appreciate that I don’t normally get involved in matters like this, but it appears that commitments have not been executed, and now I am being dragged into this matter. Can I please receive an urgent report on why IDT has not done this and resolved this matter despite assurances that this would be done?”
This intervention could be in violation of National Treasury regulations.
Lonerock Construction was appointed by IDT to repair sinkholes at Waterkloof Airforce Base as part of a project under the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
At a press conference outside Pretoria Central Police Station, EFF Secretary General Marshall Dlamini stated that the party believes Macpherson must answer to the allegations. “Despite IDT staff explaining the necessary steps to the contractor, Lonerock Construction continued pressing for immediate payment. Instead of addressing these concerns through proper channels, Minister Macpherson bypassed the IDT’s leadership and emailed a junior staff member to demand a report on the payment delay.”
Dlamini added, “This intervention undermined the IDT’s governance structures and prioritised Lonerock Construction’s interests, disregarding due process and financial integrity. It sets a dangerous precedent and raises serious questions about the Minister’s motives.”
The EFF further criticized Macpherson, calling him “a matriculant who is not interested in infrastructure development but focused on tenders.”
In addition to these allegations, Macpherson has been accused of attempting to bribe journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh to write negatively about IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka. These claims surfaced in a Sunday Times opinion piece by JJ Tabane, which suggested Macpherson was seeking to replace Malaka with someone aligned with the DA.
DA Defends Macpherson
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has dismissed the accusations as a smear campaign. Party spokesperson Willie Aucamp stated, “Minister Macpherson is exposing and stopping corruption, including a major R800-million tender scandal involving the IDT. It’s no surprise that those implicated would launch personal attacks, reminiscent of the state capture era.”
Aucamp continued, “IDT has failed to submit audited financials since August last year and is now bankrupt under poor leadership. Minister Macpherson is doing the right thing by investigating corruption, and the DA will not be deterred by personal attacks.”
Macpherson Welcomes PwC Investigation
Macpherson has welcomed the appointment of PwC to investigate the R800-million Oxygen Plant tender awarded by the IDT, which allegedly involved companies with irregular documentation and lacking proper regulatory approval.
He said, “The independent investigation will determine whether irregularities occurred during the tendering process and whether further action is needed. This is part of our ongoing efforts to improve transparency and governance, ensuring no public funds were wasted.”