Johannesburg – The Public Protector has cleared Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson of all allegations of breaching the Executive Ethics Code.
The allegations arose from a complaint lodged by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) with the Public Protector in January 2025.
The complaint, submitted by the EFF, alleged that Minister Macpherson breached the Executive Ethics Code by improperly intervening in the affairs of the IDT by enquiring about delayed payment to the service provider, in alleged violation of Treasury regulations to pay providers within 30 days.
However, following a comprehensive investigation conducted in terms of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act, 1998, the Public Protector found that the allegations against the Minister were not substantiated and that his conduct did not amount to a breach of the Executive Ethics Code.
Announcing the findings on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, the Public Protector found that the minister’s conduct did not breach the Executive Ethics Code.
A copy of the report can be found here.
“The investigation found that the Minister in fact complied with Treasury regulations regarding payment to service providers and that he acted within his role as shareholder representative of the IDT, and that there was no evidence of undue influence, bribery, favouritism, conflict of interest, or abuse of power,” stated the Public Protector.
Minister Macpherson said the findings vindicate his long-held view that the complaint by the EFF, and amplified by ActionSA’s subsequent call for his suspension, formed part of an orchestrated campaign to intimidate and obstruct his efforts to investigate alleged corruption and misgovernance at the embattled entity.
The minister welcomed the findings of Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, which have cleared him of all allegations arising from a complaint lodged by the EFF.
The Minister said the findings vindicate his long-held view that the complaint by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and ActionSA’s subsequent call for his suspension, formed part of an orchestrated campaign to intimidate and obstruct his efforts to investigate alleged corruption and misgovernance at the embattled entity.
“What is regrettable is that the taxpayers’ money has been wasted in this investigation, occupying precious time of the Public Protector,” stated Minister Macpherson.
“It should also be noted that the complainant didn’t even bother to respond to the Public Protector after the draft report was sent to parties in October 2025.”
Minister Macpherson said the Public Protector’s findings confirmed what he said from the start.
“This complaint was never about ethics or accountability – it was about obstructing reform at a time when sensitive investigations were underway at the Independent Development Trust, in relation to the R800 million oxygen plant tender.
“Instead of supporting our efforts to clean up the IDT and hold those responsible for wrongdoing accountable, the EFF initiated this complaint, and ActionSA chose to support it by calling for my suspension.
“That would have had the effect of halting ongoing investigations and undermining efforts to address serious governance failures at the entity.”
Minister Macpherson said the Public Protector’s report vindicates his actions to stabilise and reform the IDT so that it can fulfil its mandate of delivering social infrastructure to communities across South Africa, 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 of Public Works and Infrastructure and its entities, so that they can play an important role in building a better South Africa.
“Furthermore, I will now consider civil litigation against those individuals and parties that have repeated these lies.”
