Dean Macpherson Blows the Whistle: Inside the Explosive IDT Bribery Scandal

A Bribe, a Video, and a Reckoning: Dean Macpherson Takes on IDT Corruption

The Public Works Minister has opened a criminal case over a filmed bribery attempt, pulling back the curtain on a much deeper rot inside a troubled state institution.

It was the kind of video that leaves you speechless. In it, two senior figures from a government entity allegedly try to buy silence with R60,000 in cash, from one of the country’s most respected investigative journalists. And that, says Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, was the final straw.

This week, Macpherson marched into Cape Town Police Station and opened a criminal case against suspended Independent Development Trust (IDT) CEO Tebogo Malaka and spokesperson Phasha Makgolane. Their alleged attempt to bribe journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh was, in his words, “sickening.”

@newzroom405 [WATCH] Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson says watching the video of suspended IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka apparently trying to bribe a journalist left him disturbed and in disbelief. #Newzroom405 ♬ original sound – @Newzroom405

“It Made Me Sick to My Stomach” A Minister Speaks Out

Speaking outside the station, Macpherson didn’t hold back.

“It’s one thing to hear about corruption,” he said. “It’s another to see it happen so blatantly and with such impunity.”

He called the alleged bribe “not just a criminal act but an assault on the very fabric of public service” particularly damaging, given the IDT’s critical role in delivering social infrastructure projects to the country’s most vulnerable communities.

The Video That Shook the System

The footage in question reportedly shows Malaka and Makgolane offering R60,000 to Myburgh in exchange for pulling a corruption exposé. Myburgh declined and recorded the interaction. The clip quickly circulated online, drawing outrage and praise in equal measure.

Many on social media have hailed Myburgh as a “hero for press freedom,” while others questioned how deeply entrenched the corruption runs if senior officials felt bold enough to attempt a bribe on camera.

@the_scent_central #tiktoknews #crimetok #corruption #fraud ♬ original sound – The Scent Central

Not the First Sign of Trouble at IDT

The IDT has long struggled with scandal and dysfunction. Under Malaka’s leadership, the entity has been flagged for everything from tender irregularities to incomplete infrastructure projects and audit disclaimers.

Macpherson admitted that since taking office, attempts to clean house have met “fierce resistance” from a network of enablers, including political allies like ActionSA and the EFF, and even some members of the media.

“They tried to discredit me. They claimed I was paying journalists to go after the IDT. But it turns out, it was them trying to buy off the press,” he said.

The Smear Campaigns, the Silence, and the Spin

Macpherson is also going after what he describes as a coordinated misinformation campaign: a calculated effort to discredit his department and protect corrupt officials.

He says public officials, rogue journalists, and politically connected figures were part of a strategy to weaponise public opinion, spreading lies to protect a crumbling power base within the IDT.

“Corruption doesn’t survive in isolation. It survives because some people think they can manipulate the media, threaten whistleblowers, and silence critics,” he said.

PwC Report: A Trail of Waste and Disregard

A PwC forensic report into an R800 million oxygen plant tender under the IDT’s watch has uncovered:

• Contracts issued to unlicensed companies

• Inflated budgets

• Missing documentation

• Flagrant violations of Treasury policy

The report recommended disciplinary action against Malaka and others, adding further weight to Macpherson’s case.

“This was not just poor management. It was organised dysfunction,” Macpherson stated. “The IDT was operating without even the most basic governance.”

The Fight Isn’t Over, But It’s Gaining Momentum

Macpherson has now called on the new IDT board to urgently audit every contract awarded during Malaka’s tenure and trace the flow of funds.

He’s also asked other journalists who may have been approached with bribes to come forward, promising they’ll be protected.

“I will personally shield whistleblowers and honest journalists from political bullies, rogue media, and anyone trying to silence them,” he said.

He’s expressed strong faith in the new leadership team at IDT, saying they’ve shown “speed and determination” in dismantling these corruption networks.

Why This Moment Matters

For years, the IDT has been synonymous with inefficiency and corruption, a “delivery partner” that struggled to deliver anything. Now, thanks to a hidden camera and a minister refusing to back down, that story might be changing.

Macpherson’s message is clear: The era of impunity is over.

“If you thought bribes would protect your secrets, you were wrong. If you thought spin would shield your sins, you were wrong. The truth will prevail, because South Africa deserves better.”

The Public Reacts: “Finally, Accountability”

Online reaction has been swift and emotional. From civil society watchdogs to ordinary citizens, many are praising Macpherson’s actions.

“Finally, a minister taking real action against corruption. Not just words, but consequences,” one user wrote on X.
“The IDT has been a national embarrassment for years. Clean it out,” said another.

The mood is one of cautious hope, that perhaps this time, someone won’t just get suspended with pay or shuffled into another cushy government role. That maybe, just maybe, there will be justice.

@dancorder You’ve never seen anything like this 🤯 #tiktoksouthafrica #southafrica #fyp ♬ original sound – Dan Corder

What Comes Next?

The criminal case is now in the hands of police and prosecutors. Meanwhile, investigations continue into:

• Social media campaigns targeting Macpherson and whistleblowers

• Other journalists who may have faced similar bribe attempts

• Politically connected individuals protecting corrupt officials

The pressure is on, not just to act swiftly, but to ensure this isn’t another case that fades into obscurity.

And as the story continues to unfold, one thing is certain:

This is not just about a bribe. It’s about what kind of country South Africa wants to be.

{Source: IOL}

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