Tebogo Malaka, the CEO of South Africa's Independent Development Trust, has resigned effective 31 January 2026, avoiding a disciplinary hearing over an alleged bribe attempt exposed by a journalist sting operation. The resignation comes without compensation and follows a video that captured her offering cash to silence reporting on IDT issues.
Tebogo Malaka's resignation from her role as CEO of the Independent Development Trust (IDT) was announced on 14 January 2026, just before she was set to face a disciplinary hearing. The hearing related to a Daily Maverick investigation that revealed her alleged involvement in trying to bribe journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh.
The incident stemmed from a meeting in August 2025 at a restaurant in the Cape Winelands. There, Malaka and IDT spokesperson Phasha Makgolane reportedly offered Myburgh R60,000 stuffed into a Dior shopping bag to drop stories on IDT mismanagement, including a contractor's exploitation of workers and funding for Malaka's R16 million property. Video footage from the sting, released in 2025, showed the exchange, though Malaka later denied any bribery attempt.
By resigning, Malaka sidestepped the inquiry, which would have probed these claims. The IDT board accepted her departure without exit compensation, stating: "In line with standard governance and employment practise, the terms of Ms Malaka’s departure remain confidential." Sfiso Nsibande, seconded from the Construction Industry Development Board, will remain acting CEO while the board begins recruiting a permanent replacement.
Meanwhile, Makgolane's own disciplinary hearing, scheduled for the same day, did not proceed as planned, though details on his status remain unclear. The IDT affirmed its commitment to ongoing probes, noting it would cooperate in any criminal or civil actions against current or former staff. "No further comment will be made at this stage," the board concluded.
