By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
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.
EFF, alleged that 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.
In anticipation of the development, EFF secretary general Marshall Dlamini accused Macpherson that he acted outside his mandate.
Announcing the findings on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, the Public Protector found that the minister’s conduct did not breach the Executive Ethics Code.
Public protector advocate Kholeka Gcaleka found the minister had complied with National Treasury regulations regarding payment to service providers and acted within his role as shareholder representative of the IDT, and there was no evidence of undue influence, bribery, favouritism, conflict of interest or abuse of power.
“The evidence before the public protector demonstrates the enquiry concerning the non-payment of the IDT service provider originated from an email dated July 2024 from the service provider, seeking intervention to facilitate payment by the Presidency,” she said.
This was referred to Macpherson’s office as the IDT shareholder and political head of the department of public works and infrastructure.
“The involvement of Macpherson in the matter arose solely as a consequence of the referral from the Presidency. Accordingly, the allegation that Macpherson unduly influenced the IDT officials to facilitate payment due to an alleged relationship with the service provider is not supported by the available evidence,” Gcaleka said.
She also found the allegation that Macpherson breached the ethics code was not substantiated.
Macpherson said he believes the EFF complaint was part of a broader pattern of efforts to intimidate and obstruct efforts to clean up the IDT.
“This complaint was never about ethics or accountability. It was about obstructing reform at a time when sensitive investigations were under way at the IDT.
“The public protector’s report vindicates our actions to stabilise and reform the IDT so it can fulfil its mandate of delivering social infrastructure to communities across South Africa.”
The IDT has long struggled with governance and accountability, facing repeated criticism over failed projects and procurement lapses, eroding public confidence in the agency’s leadership.