An Injury to One is An Injury to All. Workers of the World Unite. You Have Nothing to Lose But Chains of Exploitation and Slavery
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes the resignation of the CEO of the Independent Development Trust (IDT), Tebogo Malaka, effective 31 January 2026.
COSATU is deeply relieved to learn Malaka will not be receiving a golden handshake nor will her resignation shield her from facing criminal charges.
Malaka was suspended after a PwC investigation revealed major irregularities into the awarding of a R836 million oxygen plant tender, where contracts were awarded to unqualified companies without the requisite certification. Despite this Malaka proceeded with the contracts and ignored warnings and apparent non-compliance of the awardees.
However, it was during her suspension that she dug her own grave when she was caught on video attempting to bribe investigative journalist, Pieter-Louis Myburgh, with R60 000 cash stuffed in a Dior paper bag. The bribe was intended to stop Myburgh publishing further articles about the underhanded dealings at the IDT.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, Malaka mounted a failed public relations campaign via the “Malaka Family Trust” and tried to shift the blame for the bribe to the IDT spokesperson.
Since then, numerous articles have been published uncovering more dodgy dealings. Malaka’s resignation comes ahead of her disciplinary hearing in February. However, her resignation will not help her to escape criminal charges.
COSATU supports the stance of the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure that Malaka will not be receiving a golden handshake and that criminal investigations into her conduct will continue. Too often we have seen senior public officials escape accountability by resigning, only to later emerge in another department as if nothing happened. This kind of impunity must come to an end; culprits must be made to account for their unscrupulous conduct.
