KwaZulu-Natal Public Works MEC, Lukas Meyer, says the department has been plagued by irregularities caused by mismanagement and corruption.

Meyers says this is a problem faced by Public Works across the country. This, after Minister Dean Macpherson opened a criminal case against Independent Development Trust (IDT) Chief Executive Officer, Tebogo Malaka and the entity’s spokesperson, Phasha Makgolane.

This follows allegations that Malaka and Makgolane attempted to offer a bribe to a journalist with the aim of concealing corruption at the IDT.

Macpherson has ordered the board of the IDT to investigate all contracts that were issued under Malaka’s tenure.

MEC Meyer says they are keeping a close eye on all tender processes in the province.

“IDT projects fall under the National Department of Public Works. So, we have not had any business dealings with IDT. Obviously, as the department that oversees all infrastructure development in the province, we keep a very close eye on it. We’ve really cleaned up our way of doing things regarding tenders. As you would know, this last year already, all our tender committees are all individually recorded. Since, we’ve done that not one of the tenders that we’ve awarded has been contested. In the past all our tenders all ended up in court,” says Meyer.

Following another qualified audit, Meyers says they are working around the clock to change things in the Public Works department.

“It’s mixed feelings. I came out of that meeting and we haven’t improved, we haven’t gotten worse. So, not getting worse is great, we remained under a qualified audit. We didn’t get a clean audit, but the Auditor General has highlighted in that meeting with us and in that report, there has been a huge improvement and that we are effortlessly moving in the right direction. It’s a bit like a big ship. We’ve turned a wheel, but it doesn’t turn immediately. So, we’ve turned a wheel, but it has taken some time for this ship to move in the right direction. But we are getting there and the Auditor General acknowledged that in the report,” he adds.

Minister of Public Works Dean Macpherson addresses IDT bribery allegations