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Minister Macpherson
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, says he informed the board of the Independent Development Trust (IDT), prior to formally laying criminal charges against its suspended CEO, Tebogo Malaka and spokesperson Phasha Makgolane.
This follows an allegation that Malaka and Makgolane attempted to offer a bribe to a journalist with the aim of concealing the activities of corruption at the IDT.
After opening a case against the two individuals at the Cape Town Police Station, the minister addresses the media and states that he also wanted to follow the relevant labour laws in relation to disciplinary action against Malaka.
“I have briefed the board on my intended actions and the processes that will unfold with regard to the disciplinary case against the suspended Chief Executive Officer (CEO).”
He adds, “I formally opened a criminal case against the suspended CEO of the Independent Development Trust, Ms Tebogo Malaka and IDT Spokesperson, Phasha Makgolane, at the Cape Town Police Station. These allegations remain deeply disturbing.”
The Minister says he was well aware of the scale of the corruption that was taking place at the IDT even before assuming office. He says he was met with resistance by those who were benefiting from wrongdoing.
“I was well aware, even before stepping into office, of the serious and long-standing allegations surrounding the IDT. For years, it has been plagued by the government’s failures, incomplete projects, tender irregularities and repeated audit disclaimers. It was an entity in crisis,” adding that “A state institution meant to serve the public, but instead is consumed by dysfunction. Over the past year, we have begun restoring order and integrity to the IDT, but we have serious resistance, not just from within the bureaucracy but through an organised and well paid for funded campaign that entrenched criminal interests.”
Macpherson says he has directed the board of the IDT to investigate all contracts issued under the tenure of suspended CEO, Tebego Malaka.
The Minister says he wants to dig deep to uncover other possible individuals who were involved in looting the entity together with Malaka.
“I have also requested the new board to firstly investigate all contracts that were issued under Ms Malaka’s tenure to trace the flow of funds linking these contracts to identify any additional instances of corruption or abuse and then to take immediate actions against anyone who has been found to be complicit. The board’s mandate is clear to the board, it is to clean up the IDT, restore its reputation, and rebuild it into a credible partner in delivering social infrastructure like schools, clinics and police stations across South Africa.”
IDT Bribery | McPherson files a criminal charge against Malaka and Makgolane
🚨 Criminal charges have been laid by the DA’s Dean Macpherson, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, against the suspended CEO and spokesperson of IDT.
This follows a shocking video allegedly showing an attempt to bribe a journalist in order to cover up corruption. pic.twitter.com/t8b6dHtOMX
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) August 7, 2025
