Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson says he believes the CEO of the Independent Development Trust (IDT), Tebogo Malaka violated at least two conditions of her suspension when she travelled to Cape Town to meet with an investigative journalist.
Macpherson on Thursday lodged a criminal complaint against Malaka and IDT spokesperson Phasha Makgolane for bribery, corruption, and collusion after they were captured on video offering a cash bribe to Daily Maverick reporter Pieter-Louis Myburgh to stop his investigations.
Malaka is currently facing a disciplinary process for alleged wrongdoing in the awarding of tenders to supply state hospitals with oxygen.
Tebogo Malaka
Macpherson said while labour law processes have to be respected, he’s encouraged the IDT board to ensure the process against Malaka is concluded speedily.
“But that process is within the board’s ambit. I will not interfere in that, and I will respect the board’s path they are taking and their commitment to see a speedy process.”
Macpherson said Malaka was ordered not to leave Gauteng without informing the board, and neither to communicate with IDT officials during her suspension.
The meeting with Myburgh took place in the company of her spokesperson in Stellenbosch.
“I think it’s safe to assume those two may have been violated by her being here the day after, with an official from the IDT.”
Macpherson said he’s delivered the forensic investigation report to the police to supplement their investigation into the complaint he’s lodged.
In other news – DStv dumps ‘Open Chats Podcast’ after comments about coloured community
DStv has dropped the Open Chats Podcast amid a wave of backlash against derogatory remarks made about the coloured community in a recent episode.
The comments sparked outrage on social media and drew the attention of PA leader and sport, arts, and culture minister Gayton McKenzie, who came out strongly against the podcast and its hosts. Read More
