Public works and infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson has laid criminal charges against suspended Independent Development Trust (IDT) CEO Tebogo Malaka and spokesperson Phasha Makgolane, following allegations they attempted to bribe a journalist investigating corruption within the entity.
The charges, which include attempted bribery, obstruction of media freedom and contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), are now under review by Cape Town police, with a request for escalation to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).
The case centres on a video published by Daily Maverick, in which Malaka and Makgolane allegedly offered investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh R60,000 in cash to quash reporting on irregular property dealings and questionable tenders awarded under Malaka’s tenure.
Macpherson described the footage as “sickening”, stating that the conduct captured in the video constituted a direct attack on media freedom and democratic accountability, referencing section 16 of the constitution.
The affidavit submitted by Macpherson outlines a detailed account of the meeting, including the presentation of R60,000 in cash inside a Dior-branded bag, promises of monthly payments of R100,000 and WhatsApp messages offering access to IDT tenders.
A bid document for upcoming Western Cape contracts was allegedly shared with Myburgh, accompanied by a message inviting him to “check and share contractors”, suggesting intent to rig procurement processes.
The affidavit cites specific provisions of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, arguing both officials acted in concert to bribe, manipulate procurement and obstruct journalistic scrutiny. The video footage, described as the principal evidence, captures the full exchange and has been submitted alongside the affidavit.
According to the affidavit, the charges extend beyond the attempted bribery of Myburgh. They include the possible bribery of other journalists, the co-ordination of social media bot campaigns and the involvement of politically affiliated individuals in shielding corruption.
The minister cited fabricated voice notes, manipulated WhatsApp messages and retracted media reports as part of a broader campaign to discredit reform efforts at the IDT.
The criminal charges are closely linked to findings from a forensic investigation conducted by PwC into an R800m oxygen plant tender. The report revealed contracts were awarded to companies without valid licences, budgets were inflated without justification and procurement processes were bypassed. These findings constitute prima facie violations of the PFMA and Treasury regulations.
The report also recommended disciplinary action against Malaka and several senior officials in the IDT’s supply chain management division.
Macpherson has instructed the IDT board to investigate all contracts issued under Malaka’s leadership, trace fund flows and take action against any individuals found to be complicit. Lifestyle audits of senior executives are under way and disciplinary proceedings have commenced. The minister said he took personal responsibility for ensuring accountability, adding, “Leadership cannot be outsourced. If criminality is uncovered, I will act directly.”
The charges now before SA Police Service (SAPS) reflect a legal turning point in the scrutiny of procurement practices at the IDT. The entity, classified as a schedule 2 public institution under the PFMA, has faced repeated audit disclaimers and governance failures. The current proceedings will test the capacity of law enforcement and oversight bodies to enforce consequence management in line with statutory obligations.
Macpherson concluded by affirming his commitment to protecting whistle-blowers and journalists, stating that media freedom and public trust were “non-negotiable principles”.
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