Suspended IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka resigns following bribery scandal

Former Independent Development Trust (IDT) CEO Tebogo Malaka has officially stepped down from her position.

The organisation confirmed that her resignation will take effect on January 31, 2026, and that she will not receive any exit compensation.

Malaka was suspended last year after being implicated in an incident in which she allegedly attempted to bribe a journalist in August 2025.

This accusation surfaced after the Daily Maverick released video footage of a meeting between Malaka, IDT spokesperson Phasha Makgolane, and journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh.

The meeting reportedly occurred on August 3rd, at a restaurant near Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. The incident took place days after Malaka's suspension, which followed a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) investigation. The investigation uncovered irregularities connected to IDT's R836 million oxygen plants scandal.

In the interim, Sifiso Nsibande will continue to serve as acting CEO of the IDT.

Who is Tebogo Malaka

According to her LinkedIn profile, Malaka completed her matric at Tsogo Secondary School in Mmakau, located in the North West of the City of Tshwane.

She said she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and an MBA from MANCOSA, graduating in 2016. In the same year, she also completed a Short Course in Public-Private Partnerships in Infrastructure at the University of Queensland in Australia.

Her career began at the Department of Social Development as a Programme Manager for Community Development. She then moved to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, where she held various positions and was appointed Director between 2006 and 2009.

Malaka is currently a member of the North West Development Corporation and Magalies Water Boards, and a Trustee of Mmutla wa Noko Trust. She previously served as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Sentech until April 2021. In November 2021, she was appointed as IDT CEO.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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