Macpherson’s move to probe R800m oxygen tender divides Parly committee

CAPE TOWN – A decision by Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson to investigate an R800 million tender for the supply of oxygen to public hospitals has divided Parliament’s portfolio committee.  Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Edwin Bath has questioned the actions of committee chairperson, Carol Phiri, and her defence of the Independent Development Trust (IDT), which facilitated the tender award on behalf of the health department.  He said that a statement issued on behalf of the portfolio committee criticising Macpherson’s response to the corruption allegations did not represent the…