Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has been cleared by Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka in findings relating to allegations from a complaint lodged by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

In January last year, the EFF alleged that Macpherson breached the Executive Ethics Code by “improperly intervening” in the affairs of the Independent Development Trust (IDT) after he enquired about delayed payment to a service provider following lengthy delays in payment, which the EFF said was in violation of Treasury regulations to pay providers within 30 days. 

Following a comprehensive investigation conducted in terms of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act, Gcaleka found that the allegations against Macpherson were not substantiated and that his conduct did not amount to a breach of the Executive Ethics Code. 

Macpherson said the findings vindicated his long-held view that the complaint by the 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.

Gcaleka concluded that Macpherson’s actions were consistent with the principles of cooperative governance and aimed at facilitating the resolution of a long-outstanding payment matter, in line with National Treasury regulations requiring the payment of service providers within 30 days.

The Public Protector’s report said there was no evidence of undue influence, favouritism, conflict of interest, or abuse of power, and that Macpherson’s conduct did not violate Section 96 of the Constitution or the Executive Ethics Code.

Macpherson said the complaint formed part of a broader pattern of efforts to intimidate and obstruct the work underway to clean up the IDT after many years of misgovernance, abuse and institutional failure.

He said it was regrettable that the EFF and ActionSA sought to frustrate accountability and reform at the IDT, rather than support efforts to restore governance and ensure that public entities served the public interest.

He highlighted that the EFF could provide no proof or evidence to substantiate their claims.

“…it is still unclear what the EFF and ActionSA’s nexus to the IDT’s scandals are. What is regrettable is that the taxpayer’s money has been wasted in this investigation, occupying precious time of the Public Protector. 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,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) called on all parties to respect the Public Protector’s ruling and stop “baseless attacks”.

DA national spokesperson Jan de Villiers pointed out that Macpherson faced months of smear campaigns and politically motivated complaints, notably from the EFF and ActionSA, claiming misconduct in his oversight of the IDT.

“These claims were amplified in the media despite a clear lack of evidence. The accusers have now been exposed as defenders of suspended IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka’s corruption,” said De Villiers.