Dean MacphersonBL Premium reports that Department of Public Works & Infrastructure (DPWI) Minister Dean Macpherson has laid criminal charges against suspended Independent Development Trust (IDT) CEO Tebogo Malaka and spokesperson Phasha Makgolane.

This follows allegations that 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.

Macpherson’s affidavit 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. Macpherson has instructed the IDT board to investigate all contracts issued under Malaka’s leadership. Lifestyle audits of senior executives are under way and disciplinary proceedings have commenced.


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