By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Suspended Tebogo Malaka was caught on camera attempting to bribe a Daily Maverick journalist with R60,000 to halt an investigation into irregularities at the state-owned entity, Independent Development Trust (IDT).
Malaka was placed on precautionary suspension over her alleged involvement in an irregular oxygen plant contract worth more than R800 million.
The funding came from the Global Fund, an international financing initiative to support treatment of critical illnesses aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The project aimed to install pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants at 55 hospitals — a technology that allows facilities to generate oxygen without relying on cylinder delivery. Initially budgeted at R260-million, the cost eventually ballooned to R836-million.
A company in question, Bulkeng was awarded 45 sites worth R428-million, while the Maziya-On Site Gas Systems joint venture was awarded 10 sites worth R152-million. The Global Fund issued a formal “No Objection” to the appointment, based on assurances received from the IDT.
The final forensic report by PwC has been handed over to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the Hawks, the SA Police Service (SAPS) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further investigation.
The meeting where a bribe emerged, took place on Sunday, 3 August, at a restaurant on a well-known wine farm near Stellenbosch.
Malaka and the entity’s spokesperson, Phasha Makgolane presented the money in an apparent attempt to cover up an ongoing investigation involving an IDT contract and one of Malaka’s upmarket properties.
Following the expose, Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson took to his X page, where he wrote that he was aware of the matter and was in ‘disbelief’.
He later announced he would address the issue at the Cape Town police station.
“The Minister will address the media at the Cape Town Central Police Station, following months of facing what is now likely a paid-for public campaign aimed at discrediting his efforts to bring stability and good governance to the entity, which plays a critical role in delivering social infrastructure across South Africa,” said Macpherson.
The IDT, a state entity that falls under the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), had been appointed by the National Department of Health (NDoH) to act as an implementing agent for the oxygen plants project.