Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson released a forensic report on 29 July into an R836 million oxygen plant tender awarded by the Independent Development Trust IDT.
According to the Daily Maverick , the report confirms wide-ranging procurement fraud in a project to install oxygen generation plants at 55 state hospitals.
The investigation by PwC followed exposes in October 2024 that a "ghost company" won the largest portion of the tender. Subsequent reporting unearthed more red flags in contracts awarded to Bulkeng and a joint venture of Maziya General Trading and On Site Gas Systems International.
Bulkeng had no valid certification to supply medical equipment. The company also submitted forged witness signatures and misused another firm's SAHPRA licence.
PwC found no credible explanation for the sharp rise in unit costs. The project's price per site jumped from an estimated R3.6 million to over R10.5 million.