Suspended IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka Claims Dean Macpherson Is Unfailry Targeting Her, SA Disagrees
- Tebogo Malaka weighed in on the bribery allegations levelled against her and her recent suspension
- The Independent Development Trust (IDT) Chief Executive Officer believes she is being unfairly targeted
- South Africans shared their thoughts on Malaka's claims, with many saying that she sounded more guilty
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG - Tebogo Malaka believes that she is being unfairly targeted by Dean Macpherson.
The suspended Independent Development Trust (IDT) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) insists that the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure targeted her through the media and the newly appointed IDT board.
Malaka was suspended over alleged irregularities in an oxygen plant tender. She was then at the centre of a bribery scandal, after footage emerged of her purportedly attempting to bribe investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh.
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What did Malaka say about the situation?
Addressing the allegations against her, Malaka suggested that her suspension may have been influenced by perceptions about her, saying that the minister never gave her a chance to present her version of events.
“I am not sure whether it is because I am a black woman or because other CEOs are men. I am not sure, but I believe when the minister came in, he was briefed about me and never allowed me to present my side of the story,” Malaka said.
She added that she doesn’t have a relationship with the minister, as he met all the CEOs and board members of the three entities of the department, but not with the IDT or her.
Malaka addresses bribery claims
She also denied allegations that she bribed anyone, saying that she never took out money and handed it to anyone. Malaka has been accused of attempting to bribe Daily Maverick journalist, Myburgh, with R60,000 to stop reporting about her.
Video footage surfaced of the event, but Malaka insists that it was edited to make her look guilty.
“If you look at the entire video, it doesn’t reflect what happened because what is shown to the public is snippets of what I said and what the spokesperson said, but not what the journalist said,” Malaka stated.
While he admitted to meeting Myburgh, she maintained that she did not initiate the encounter, claiming that it was coordinated by IDT Communications Specialist, Phasha Makgolane.
On 7 August 2025, Macpherson opened a case against her following the release of the video footage.
How did South Africans react?
Social media users were divided by the news, with some mocking her, while others suggested that she could be innocent.
Sibongiseni Sibusiso Mnguni said:
“I think those cameras were lying.”
Richard Peebles said:
“Keep digging a deeper hole. You deserve everything that is coming to you.”
Kogie Moodley suggested:
“Wait for the investigation to be over.”
Clive Prince stated:
“The whole country saw what you did; blame yourself.”
Jerry Gantweni said:
“The more Tebogo Malaka tries to explain herself, the more guilty she looks. She was supposed to be engaging with her legal team and avoiding social media.”
Rishinund Lekha added:
“Typical. Just try to blame someone else.”
Charles Chamas Andrews stated:
“She will accuse him of being a racist.”
Malaka Family Trust rejects bribery allegations
Briefly News reported that the Malaka Family Trust rubbished the recent bribery claims made.
The trust believes that the allegations are part of a politically motivated campaign.
Citizens weighed in on the statement, with some in support of the Independent Development Trust (IDT) CEO.
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Source: Briefly News
