In a shocking twist that has stunned the public and shaken government trust structures, Independent Development Trust (IDT) CEO Tebogo Malaka stands accused of attempting to bribe a journalist to bury a corruption investigation.
Investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh of Daily Maverick revealed that he was allegedly offered R60,000 by Malaka and his spokesperson, Phasha Makgolane, in a covert attempt to stop the publication of damning findings. What the officials didn’t know? The entire meeting was secretly recorded.
Myburgh had been investigating alleged corruption linked to the IDT, a public entity tasked with managing billions in infrastructure projects. The probe centers around a scandal involving a staggering R836 million tender. Sources suggest this could be one of the most significant breaches of public trust within a state entity in recent years.
The alleged bribe attempt appears to have been a desperate move to shield Malaka from the growing storm. But instead of halting the investigation, it has now drawn even more attention and potential legal consequences. Calls for Malaka’s suspension and a full-scale inquiry are mounting as outrage grows.
This incident is a chilling reminder of the lengths to which some public officials may go to cover their tracks—and the power of fearless journalism to expose the truth.
