Dean Macpherson (Photo: GCIS)
Dean Macpherson, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, believes that “false reporting” about him forms part of a coordinated fightback campaign to derail the cleaning campaign that is underway at his department.
City Press reported on Sunday that there was a heated debate within the department over Macpherson’s decision to take his partner with him to Brazil for the Brics forum, and also whether the minister’s partner was entitled to government funding for the trip.
In a statement to City Press on Sunday, Macpherson hit out at his initial reporting on the trip. It was initially reported that Macpherson ignored “legal advice” and that the trip cost R839 000.
The article has since been amended. According to Macpherson, the confirmed expenditure for the trip was R350 000.
“The article now correctly reflects that the minister had no knowledge of the alleged difference of opinion between officials of the department, that the total travel of the work visit to Brazil with his partner amounted to R350 000, and that no fruitless or wasteful duplicate discussions were made.”
The minister said he considered the sensational false reporting to be part of the coordinated fightback campaign by individuals within the department to derail the clean-up campaign he had undertaken. This campaign involves the suspension and resignation of senior staff, lifestyle audits and disciplinary action.
“This also follows reports in the Sunday Times today that the minister and his senior officials have been the target of communications interception and wiretapping, and that the state security agency has been requested to investigate.”
Macpherson’s spokesman told City Press that he had noted with concern the allegations regarding disagreements between departmental officials over his partner accompanying him on the trip.
James de Villiers, Macpherson’s spokesman, said the minister had requested additional information from the relevant officials. Should it be found that any official has failed in the performance of their duties, the appropriate consequence management will follow, said De Villiers.