A long-awaited forensic investigation into the R800 million Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant tender has uncovered shocking levels of fraud and governance failures within the Independent Development Trust (IDT), threatening one of South Africa’s most critical public health infrastructure projects.
Now, with the cloud of corruption beginning to lift, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says the path is finally clear to deliver life-saving oxygen infrastructure to 55 hospitals across the country.
The forensic report, commissioned by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, comes after months of public scrutiny over potential corruption linked to the project’s original procurement process through the Independent Development Trust (IDT).
Minister Motsoaledi lauded the transparency brought by the investigation, stating:
“I am pleased to note that a credible forensic investigation has gotten to the bottom of this matter to bring this matter to a close.”
The report clears the Department of Health of any financial wrongdoing, a relief for a ministry that has relied on international partnerships, including donor funding from the Global Fund, to bolster the country’s public health system.
“I am also satisfied that the report has not pointed any fingers at the Department of Health for any financial misdemeanour that may cast aspersions on the integrity of the department, because [that] would have soured our relationship with the Global Fund,” Motsoaledi added.
While the report does identify individuals who acted unlawfully, the Minister emphasised the serious consequences of their actions.
“They did not just commit financial corruption but deprived South Africans of urgent life support in the form of oxygen. As such, the Department of Health would like to see people being held to account and the law taking its course.”
The PSA Oxygen Plant project was swiftly moved from the IDT to the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) in a bid to restore confidence and ensure uninterrupted delivery. That decision, taken jointly by Ministers Motsoaledi and Macpherson when corruption concerns first surfaced, appears to have paid off.
Motsoaledi is pleased that the Department of Health lost nothing and all the money that has been donated by the Global Fund is safe.
“It would have been a sad day if donor fund money was to disappear under our watch.”
With the report now public, attention turns to the DBSA to fast-track the completion of the vital infrastructure.
“The remaining work of the DBSA will surely be expedited to conclude the project as expeditiously as possible to the benefit of the people of South Africa,” said the Minister.
The Health Ministry says it remains committed to transparency, accountability, and delivering critical healthcare infrastructure without delay.
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