A closer look at Tebogo Malaka, the suspended IDT CEO facing bribery allegations

Independent Development Trust (IDT) CEO, Tebogo Malaka, has been accused of attempting to bribe a journalist.

This accusation surfaced after the Daily Maverick released video footage on Wednesday of a meeting between Malaka, IDT spokesperson Phasha Makgolane, and journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh.

The meeting reportedly occurred on August 3rd, over the weekend, at a restaurant near Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. The incident took place just days after Malaka's suspension, which followed a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) investigation. The investigation uncovered irregularities connected to IDT's R836 million oxygen plants scandal.

Who is Tebogo Malaka

According to her LinkedIn profile, Malaka completed her matric at Tsogo Secondary School in Mmakau, located in the North West of the City of Tshwane.

She said she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and an MBA from MANCOSA, graduating in 2016. In the same year, she also completed a Short Course in Public-Private Partnerships in Infrastructure at the University of Queensland in Australia.

Her career began at the Department of Social Development as a Programme Manager for Community Development. She then moved to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, where she held various positions and was appointed Director between 2006 and 2009.

Malaka is currently a member of the North West Development Corporation and Magalies Water Boards, and a Trustee of Mmutla wa Noko Trust. She previously served as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Sentech until April 2021. In November 2021, she was appointed as IDT CEO.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister on Malaka's allegations.

Minister Dean Macpherson has indicated that he plans to meet with the Independent Development Trust (IDT) board on Thursday.

He will also address the media at the Cape Town Central Police Station.

“The Minister will address the media following months of facing what is now likely a paid-for public campaign aimed at discrediting his efforts to bring stability and good governance to the entity, which plays a critical role in delivering social infrastructure across South Africa.”

During a media briefing a week ago, Macpherson revealed the investigation’s alarming findings, prompting disciplinary and criminal actions against officials involved.

The forensic report, conducted by global consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), uncovered widespread irregularities in the procurement process for the PSA Oxygen Plant project. 

With a total budget of R836 million, the project aimed to supply oxygen systems to 60 hospitals nationwide, with R528 million allocated directly to the IDT.

“Multiple companies awarded contracts lacked proper certification, verifiable contact details, or legitimate operational capacity,” Macpherson explained. 

“These findings raise serious questions about the integrity of the procurement process and the oversight within the IDT.”

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