Tebogo Malaka, IDT bribery allegations, Pieter-Louis Myburgh, Daily Maverick, corruption probe, hush money, Stellenbosch meeting, oxygen plants scandal, political setup, eNCA interview, Hawks investigation
In a dramatic twist to an already explosive corruption saga, suspended Independent Development Trust (IDT) CEO Tebogo Malaka has come out swinging, claiming she was set up in what she describes as a politically motivated entrapment.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with eNCA, Malaka directly addressed the now-viral video that appears to show her and IDT spokesperson Phasha Makgolane offering R60,000 in cash to investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh from Daily Maverick. The supposed goal? To kill a damning story linking her to corruption—specifically the IDT’s controversial R836-million oxygen plants scandal that led to her suspension.
But Malaka isn’t taking it lying down. “I never planned to give the journalist money,” she stated firmly, claiming the footage was selectively edited and misrepresented the actual events. She said Makgolane had a prior relationship with Myburgh and arranged the August 3 meeting at a Stellenbosch wine farm without disclosing its true purpose.
Pointing fingers and demanding transparency, Malaka’s family trust has also spoken out, labeling the incident a “manufactured scandal” and calling for the release of unedited video footage. They’re also questioning the legality of the recording itself.
Meanwhile, political fallout is intensifying. Calls for a Hawks investigation into not just Malaka but wider corruption networks and potential media manipulation have surfaced. Public Works Deputy Minister Sello Macpherson has pledged to scrutinize all contracts signed during Malaka’s leadership.
Despite the heat, Malaka remains defiant. “The video speaks for itself,” she says, suggesting that what’s been shown so far hides more than it reveals.
As the battle lines are drawn between whistleblowers and alleged setups, one thing is clear: this controversy is far from over—and the truth may be buried deeper than anyone thought.
