IDT CEO resigns ahead of disciplinary hearing

Tebogo Malaka has resigned as CEO of the Independent Development Trust (IDT), effective 31 January 2026, ahead of a disciplinary hearing related to a series of governance and corruption allegations.

In a statement on Wednesday, the IDT confirmed that Malaka had stepped down from her position without any exit compensation.

Read:
Criminal charges laid against IDT CEO and spokesperson after alleged bribery
IDT CEO, officials must face disciplinary action over R800m tender

The board stated that it had accepted her resignation and that Sfiso Nsibande, seconded from the Construction Industry Development Board, would continue as the acting CEO to ensure organisational stability.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, under whose department the IDT falls, welcomed the resignation, describing it as a necessary step towards stabilising the troubled entity. He emphasised that Malaka’s departure does not affect any ongoing criminal investigations into her conduct.

“The resignation does not bring an end to the problems at the IDT, but it is a welcome step in our continued reform agenda,” Macpherson said.

Malaka had been suspended in August last year following the release of an independent PwC report into the botched R880 million hospital oxygen plant tender managed by the IDT.

Her resignation also comes ahead of a scheduled disciplinary hearing that was expected to examine multiple allegations against her, including matters stemming from investigative reporting by Daily Maverick.

The publication previously reported that Malaka and a former IDT spokesperson, Phasha Makgolane, were allegedly involved in an attempted bribe of investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh, a claim that she has denied.

Both Malaka and Makgolane have since resigned.

The IDT board stated that it would now initiate a formal process to appoint a permanent CEO. It reiterated that the entity would continue to cooperate fully with any ongoing investigations that could lead to criminal or civil proceedings.

“In line with standard governance and employment practice, the terms of Ms Malaka’s departure remain confidential,” the board said, adding that no further comment would be made at this stage.

Read: Minister takes action on allegedly corrupt R800m hospital oxygen plant tender

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