The Independent Development Trust is investigating allegations of widespread signature forgery by the Collen Mashawana Foundation in a R60-million employment programme. Forensic experts have confirmed discrepancies in documents submitted for payments, leaving hundreds of workers unpaid. The probe follows reports of workers being assigned to private properties instead of public sites.
The Independent Development Trust (IDT), under acting CEO Sfiso Nsibane who took office in early November 2025, has launched an independent forensic verification of documents from the Collen Mashawana Foundation (CMF). This follows a Daily Maverick investigation revealing alleged signature fraud in a R60-million Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) contract awarded to CMF during former IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka's tenure.
In August 2024, CMF signed contracts with about 1,800 unemployed people across five provinces, including 700 in Limpopo's Thohoyandou area, to manage short-term jobs like cleaning schools and clinics. However, workers such as Rendani Makhado, 24, from Dididi village, denied signing payment sheets. 'No, that is definitely not my signature,' Makhado said, confirming she received no salary despite the IDT transferring over R27 million to CMF, including R1.23 million in February 2025 for January's wages.
Forensic analysis of roughly 7,000 signatures and 23,000 initials from August 2024 to March 2025 found clusters produced by one person, with inconsistencies like spelling errors in surnames such as Hlungwane and variations in form. 'The signatures of all individuals are highly inconsistent... strongly supports the proposition that the signatures are not individual, naturally signed signatures, but rather that they were fabricated,' the experts' report stated. Elements assessed included slant, spacing, and pen pressure across 21 handwriting traits.
Workers like Dembe Booi reported walking 10-15 kilometres daily for hard labour but receiving only R610 instead of R1,700, or nothing in some months. 'Some of us walked ten, fifteen kilometres to work and back. And it was hard, physical work, just for someone to come and take our money,' Booi said. Lucky Mmbara, 50, gave up his R350 social relief grant for the job but saw payments drop to R850 in September and October 2024, then cease.
Evidence emerged of EPWP participants working at CMF founder Collen Mashawana's private properties, including Villa Dante lodge and a family mansion in Mulenzhe village, contravening programme rules for public sites. WhatsApp messages contradicted denials by CMF chief operating officer Austin Mashawana. The IDT, which also tasked CMF in Gauteng, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, and Free State, stated: 'Given the seriousness of the allegations, the IDT is initiating an independent forensic verification process.' If fraud is confirmed, it will refer the matter to law enforcement, cancel contracts, blacklist CMF, and recover funds under the Public Finance Management Act. The IDT plans biometric systems for future EPWP cycles to prevent recurrence. Earlier August 2025 reports highlighted unpaid Free State workers.
