Family trust of suspended IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka believes she's been set up to lose her job
The Malaka family trust said the scandal that has erupted over her alleged attempts to bribe a journalist to stop investigating her was a trap.
Independent Development Trust (IDT) chief executive officer (CEO) Tebogo Malaka. Picture: Supplied/ Independent Development Trust on Facebook.com
CAPE TOWN - The family trust of suspended CEO of the Independent Development Trust (IDT) Tebogo Malaka said she’s part of an orchestrated campaign to remove her from her job.
The Malaka family trust said the scandal that has erupted over her alleged attempts to bribe a journalist to stop investigating her was a trap.
On Thursday, Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson laid a criminal complaint against Malaka for collusion, bribery and corruption - a week after she was suspended in connection with irregular tenders for oxygen supply to hospitals.
But her family trust insists she’s part of a set-up between the minister and journalist, Pieter-Louis Myburgh.
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The Malaka family trust is questioning the legality of the hidden cameras that captured the meeting between Malaka, IDT spokesperson Phasha Makgolane and Myburgh on a wine farm in Stellenbosch.
In explaining what is widely viewed from the extracted footage as a bribe being offered, Malaka said there was none, since no offer was made, no agreement was reached, and no money changed hands.
Her family trust is demanding that all the footage of the meeting be released and an investigation be carried out into who installed the cameras and under what authority.
“Ms Malaka is being vilified not for wrongdoing, but for standing her ground. She deserves due process - not public trial by edited video and political theatre,” said family spokesperson, Ayanda Jele.
According to the Regulation of the Interception of Communication Act - communication can only be intercepted if the person doing so, is party to the communication.
Malaka’s family is instead throwing Makgolane under the bus, saying he produced the R60,000 in cash and set up the meeting.
“Edited video and innuendo are not evidence. They are tactics of defamation,” reads the family statement.
They said Malaka’s only offence is clashing with Macpherson over the board and alleged administrative interference.
Malaka said he’s the one that must be investigated for allegedly colluding with journalists.