Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson says the newly appointed Independent Development Trust (IDT) board must hit the ground running by completing lifestyle audits and strengthening governance.
“We have faced many obstacles in our efforts to restore good governance at the IDT. Undoubtedly from those with vested interests they sought to protect,” said Macpherson.
New board to clean up entity
This is after Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced on Thursday that Cabinet has appointed a fresh board to take the troubled entity forward.
The board includes the reappointed Zimbini Hill, Lerato Kumalo, Stella Bvuma, Wayne Manthe, Deenadayalen Konar, Neil Jensen, Sekadi Phayane-Skhakhane, Thobile Maloka, Raymond Nkando, and Bongekile Zulu.
Macpherson said the new board members were nominated by a selection committee appointed under the IDT’s Deed of Trust, with the Cabinet approving their term starting on July 5.
After years of leadership instability and damaging corruption allegations, he said, the new board will be key in restoring credibility and improving the delivery of vital infrastructure to communities in need.
He also credited the current board for what he called commendable progress that they have made.
Key infrastructure role
“The IDT has an important role to play in the delivery of social infrastructure to communities where it is most needed. And I look forward to working with the incoming board to ensure that the entity fulfils this mandate,” said Macpherson.
“It is essential that the incoming board builds on this foundation and finalises matters related to lifestyle audits of senior executives. Ensuring a pathway to a clean audit and resolving outstanding investigations into alleged irregularities in office leasing and tender awards,” he added.
Macpherson highlighted that the newly appointed board was a start to a new chapter. He believes this will end the instability at the IDT.
He claims that there were, among other things, altered notes and a social media bot campaign. But he believes that era has come to an end.
