Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has opened a criminal case against Tebogo Malaka, the suspended CEO of the Independent Development Trust (IDT), at Cape Town Central Police Station on 7 August 2025. The charges follow allegations of corruption and bribery, sparked by a Daily Maverick video showing Malaka and IDT spokesperson Phasha Makgolane allegedly offering journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh R60,000 to suppress an investigation into Malaka’s dealings.
The video, recorded on 3 August at a restaurant near Stellenbosch, captured Malaka and Makgolane presenting cash to halt Myburgh’s probe into an IDT contract and a luxury property linked to Malaka. Macpherson described the act as “blatant corruption” that left him “sick to my stomach,” calling it an attack on democracy and press freedom.
Last week, Macpherson released findings from a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) forensic investigation, which revealed Malaka’s role in the irregular awarding of R836 million in tenders for oxygen plants at over 50 state hospitals. The report highlighted systemic procurement failures, governance lapses, and fraud within the IDT, including Malaka’s failure to verify documentation or address regulatory breaches.
Speaking outside the police station, Macpherson condemned the bribery attempt as an assault on South Africa’s institutional framework, particularly the IDT’s role in delivering social infrastructure like schools and clinics. He stressed that such actions undermine public trust and shield corruption from scrutiny.
The IDT, long plagued by incomplete projects and audit disclaimers, suspended Malaka on 1 August following the PwC report. Disciplinary proceedings are underway, and Macpherson has referred the matter to the Hawks for further investigation. He also called for probes into potential broader bribery networks involving journalists and political parties.
Macpherson, who has faced counter-allegations of corruption from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and ActionSA, dismissed claims of his own interference in IDT tenders as a “paid-for campaign” to discredit his anti-corruption efforts.
The case has drawn widespread condemnation, with calls for Malaka’s prosecution intensifying. The IDT board met on 6 August to address the allegations, promising a transparent response.
