By BAKANG MOKOTO
29 October 2025- The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure has sent the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and the Independent Development Trust (IDT) packing and rejected the presentation of the oxygen plant tender forensic report. The committee was scheduled to receive a briefing on the forensic report into allegations of maladministration, fraud and corruption relating to tenders awarded by the IDT for the roll-out of oxygen plants on behalf of the Department of Health.
However, members of the committee said the document presented was not the original forensic report compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which the committee had specifically requested.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Carol Phiri expressed concerns that the DPWI seemed to be unwilling to share the full report with the committee for its perusal. Phiri said it is troubling that the department and the IDT do not seem to trust the committee with the report.
“The same forensic report has been shared with the IDT board and even presented to the media, yet the committee, which is tasked with oversight, is denied access. What we are receiving are only snippets, not the full report.
“We also noted that this was not the first time the department had failed to present complete forensic reports. The similar incident took place during the Telkom Towers forensic report meeting held on 10 September 2025,” she said.
Phiri further said they noted that it was aware that the Minister had briefed the media on the report, but finds it strange that he has not submitted the same to the committee. She added that the committee also recommended that the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson be present when the forensic report is presented to the committee.
“The committee further warned that had it allowed the presentation of the forensic report, without the original PwC report, it would not reflect the full facts of what occurred at the IDT.
“It also expressed concern that the department continues to ignore committee resolutions, including the requirement to submit written responses within seven days,” said Phiri.
She said it should be noted that they were reluctant to consider or make recommendations based on an incomplete or redacted report and insisted that the original full PwC forensic report be submitted.
“It does not please us having to send the department and the IDT away, as their attendance to the meeting becomes a fruitless and wasteful expenditure due to lack of communication between the committee and the department.
“The committee said going forward it will seek legal advice regarding being continuously overlooked and not being privileged with reports that fall within the committees oversight role,” said Phiri.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala, told the committee that PwC could not brief the committee directly and that the IDT should present the findings. Zikalala suggested that the oxygen plant tender forensic report should be presented in a closed session to avoid jeopardising any ongoing processes.
The Guardian 