News

IDT CEO and Spokesperson Face Criminal Charges Over Alleged Journalist Bribe

Published

2 months ago

August 8, 2025

Chiraag

IDT CEO bribery, Tebogo Malaka charges, Phasha Makgolane corruption, journalist bribe attempt, South Africa public sector scandal, DPWI minister Dean Macpherson, media bribery case, Joburg ETC

A scandal involving cash-stuffed envelopes, media manipulation, and public funds is now at the centre of criminal charges against two top officials from the Independent Development Trust (IDT). The suspended CEO, Tebogo Malaka, and the organisation’s spokesperson, Phasha Makgolane, have been formally charged after allegedly trying to bribe a journalist to bury a corruption story.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson laid the charges himself at Cape Town Central Police Station on Thursday, just days after a video surfaced showing the alleged bribe in progress.

R60 000 Cash and a Promise of Silence

According to Macpherson’s affidavit, Malaka and Makgolane allegedly offered a journalist from the Daily Maverick R60 000 in cash on 3 August, with the promise of more money if they stopped publishing negative reports.

The Daily Maverick published not only the allegations but also a video of the exchange. The footage immediately caused an uproar online, with South Africans questioning how state officials could casually carry such large sums of cash and imply access to government tenders as a reward for silence.

Macpherson said he was sickened by the evidence and alarmed by the possibility that this wasn’t an isolated incident.

“No Mandate, No Morals”

In his statement, Macpherson said Malaka had no authority to engage with the journalist in any capacity. He described the attempt as a clear breach of fiduciary duty under the Public Finance Management Act and suggested that the same tactics could have been used to influence other journalists or even political actors.

The minister pointed to earlier suspicious reporting and social media campaigns that seemed designed to discredit anti-corruption efforts. He called for a broader investigation into possible media manipulation, fake news, and bot activity.

“There is a prima facie case against both the CEO and spokesperson,” Macpherson said.

Not the First Time IDT Has Made Headlines

The IDT is no stranger to controversy. Just last week, a forensic report by PwC recommended disciplinary action against Malaka and other officials for their role in a dodgy R880 million hospital oxygen tender linked to the Department of Health.

That report led to Malaka’s suspension and further scrutiny of how procurement was handled under her leadership.

Now, this bribery scandal adds fuel to the fire, deepening the crisis at an entity tasked with managing billions in public infrastructure spending.

A New Board Under Pressure

The Cabinet appointed a new IDT board in July 2025, and they’ve already been asked to launch a full-scale review of all contracts signed under Malaka’s watch.

Macpherson said he met with the new board on Wednesday and instructed them to investigate not only the oxygen plant deal but every contract linked to Malaka’s term. He also requested a financial tracing process to uncover how funds may have been misused.

“This confirms our worst fears,” Macpherson said. “But it also justifies the action we’ve taken. We are cleaning house.”

The Bigger Picture: Corruption, Media, and Public Trust

This incident isn’t just about one envelope of cash. It raises serious questions about the use of public money, the role of political spin, and the influence of corrupt actors on public discourse.

Earlier this year, Macpherson himself was accused of attempting to bribe a journalist, a claim he denies and attributes to a smear campaign. Now, with hard evidence surfacing in this new case, he’s called on police to investigate every angle, from tender rigging to media infiltration.

“The era of unaccountability is over,” he said.

What Happens Next?

Police investigations are now underway. If found guilty, Malaka and Makgolane could face serious prison time under South Africa’s Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.

The IDT’s new board is expected to report back within weeks, and disciplinary processes against other implicated officials are also moving ahead.

For now, the public waits, hoping this isn’t just another scandal that ends in silence.