The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with concern the troubling developments surrounding the alleged irregularities in the over R800 million hospital oxygen tender. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, Ms Carol Phiri has claimed that the allegations lack substance, yet the Hawks are actively investigating the matter which requires there to be substantial information and evidence regarding these allegations. Both cannot be true.
The DA questions why the Chairperson met with the Independent Development Trust (IDT) outside of parliamentary structures, excluding Portfolio Committee members. No invitation or notice was provided to members, and no minutes of this meeting have been made available. Furthermore, why would the Chairperson engage with the very organisation accused of wrongdoing instead of seeking information directly from the Minister, as would be proper procedure?
The Chairperson has further claimed that the Minister has not met with the IDT, despite the fact that a meeting was held on 14 November, with photographic evidence confirming the interaction. This misrepresentation raises questions about the Chairperson’s credibility and intentions in this matter.
The Chairperson does not speak for the DA members of the committee. This issue has never been raised in a committee meeting, nor has any resolution been taken by the committee on the matter. The DA believes that Phiri and anyone who supports her views are on their own in the matter.
It is deeply disturbing that the Chairperson has avoided the Minister’s requests to brief her on the issue, instead, appearing to undermine the Minister’s efforts to investigate the allegations and doing exactly what she accused the Minister by speaking to him through the media.
Furthermore, the IDT itself sought to launch an investigation into the tender, which was halted by the Minister because his correct view is that an entity cannot investigate itself when it’s accused of wrongdoing. For the Chairperson to claim there is no evidence despite credible evidence around the tender award process in the public domain is misleading and disturbing.
Instead of supporting the Minister’s work to investigate and root out corruption, the Chairperson seems intent on attacking and obstructing him. This behaviour raises serious questions about her motives and priorities.
It is worth noting that the Minister of Health, also an ANC member, supported cancelling this tender. It is on public record that both Minister Macpherson and Minister Motsoaledi have worked closely on this issue and have arrived at the same conclusion. Ms Phiri has conveniently ignored this detail.
While the ANC Chairperson may want to defend the very serious allegations against the IDT, the DA will not. We fully support the Minister’s efforts to uncover the truth and ensure accountability in this matter no matter how hostile those within the IDT and ANC may be towards him for doing so.