IDT CEO, Spokesperson Quit Amid ‘Bribe Sting’ Scandal

Key Takeaways:

• Tebogo Malaka, the CEO of the Independent Development Trust (IDT), has officially resigned from her position
• Malaka resigned without any exit compensation and her resignation takes effect from 31 January 2026
• The resignation comes ahead of a disciplinary hearing stemming from a video "sting" project that showed Malaka and IDT spokesperson Phasha Makgolane offering a bribe to a journalist
• Makgolane has also resigned from his position
• The IDT will continue to cooperate with ongoing investigations that may result in criminal or civil proceedings against current or former employees

Introduction to the Resignation
The Independent Development Trust (IDT) has announced that its CEO, Tebogo Malaka, has officially resigned from her position. The news was confirmed in a statement issued by the IDT on Wednesday afternoon, which stated that Malaka’s resignation would take effect from 31 January 2026. Notably, Malaka resigned without receiving any exit compensation, a fact that has been welcomed by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson.

Background to the Resignation
The resignation comes ahead of a disciplinary hearing that Malaka was expected to face, stemming from a video "sting" project published by Daily Maverick last year. The video showed Malaka and IDT spokesperson Phasha Makgolane offering a bribe of R60,000 to a journalist, which was stuffed into a Dior shopping bag. Malaka had denied attempting to bribe the journalist, but would have likely faced tough questions from the IDT’s counsel during the disciplinary hearing. However, with her resignation, the hearing will no longer go ahead.

Consequences of the Resignation
The news of Malaka’s resignation has been welcomed by Minister Macpherson, who stated that it was a "welcome step" in the department’s reform agenda. Macpherson also noted that the resignation would not preclude or bring to an end any criminal investigations related to Malaka’s conduct as IDT CEO. The IDT’s board of trustees has confirmed that it will commence a formal process to appoint a permanent Chief Executive Officer, with Sfiso Nsibande continuing in his role as acting CEO. The board has also stated that the IDT will continue to cooperate with ongoing investigations that may result in criminal or civil proceedings against current or former employees.

Related Developments
In a related development, IDT spokesperson Phasha Makgolane was due to face a disciplinary hearing of his own on Wednesday, but it did not go ahead as planned. The IDT later confirmed that Makgolane has also resigned from his position. The news of Malaka’s resignation and Makgolane’s departure comes as the IDT continues to face scrutiny over its handling of an R836-million oxygen plants project, which was first revealed by Daily Maverick in 2024. It is understood that the oxygen plants matter was also due to feature at Malaka’s disciplinary hearing.

Implications of the Resignation
The resignation of Malaka and the departure of Makgolane mark a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding the IDT. The fact that both individuals have resigned without receiving any exit compensation is a positive step towards accountability and transparency. The IDT’s commitment to cooperating with ongoing investigations and its intention to appoint a permanent CEO also suggest that the organization is taking steps towards reform. However, as Minister Macpherson noted, the resignation of Malaka does not end the problems at the IDT, and more work needs to be done to bring governance stability to the entity.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the resignation of Tebogo Malaka as CEO of the Independent Development Trust marks a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding the organization. The fact that Malaka resigned without receiving any exit compensation and that the IDT will continue to cooperate with ongoing investigations suggests that the organization is taking steps towards accountability and transparency. However, more work needs to be done to bring governance stability to the IDT, and the appointment of a permanent CEO will be a crucial step in this process. As the IDT moves forward, it is essential that it prioritizes ethical governance and puts the South African public first.