--- title: "The cost of exposing a bribe" description: "What’s the cost of exposing a bribe? R212,000 and counting. (And one journalist risking his safety to meet two corrupt officials on a wine farm.)" type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "MAVERICK INSIDER" author: "Daily Maverick" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/dailymaverick/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-07-the-cost-of-exposing-a-bribe/" published: "2025-08-07T13:44:08" updated: "2025-08-07T14:13:52" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 414 --- # The cost of exposing a bribe > What’s the cost of exposing a bribe? R212,000 and counting. (And one journalist risking his safety to meet two corrupt officials on a wine farm.) By Daily Maverick · Published 7 August 2025, 15:44 SAST · Updated 7 August 2025, 16:13 SAST ## Key points - In a plot twist that rivals any thriller, the Independent Development Trust's CEO found himself suspended after our intrepid investigative team uncovered a scandal involving dodgy tenders and a brazen cash bribe attempt, proving once again that in the world of journalism, the real drama unfolds in broad daylight. - Daily Maverick's investigation uncovered corruption within the Independent Development Trust, leading to the suspension of CEO Tebogo Malaka. - A brazen bribery attempt involved R60,000 in cash offered to silence reporting on Malaka's illicit activities. - The newsroom executed a meticulous sting operation, ensuring legal and physical safety while capturing evidence of the corruption. - This case highlights the costs of investigative journalism, emphasizing its critical role in protecting public institutions and accountability. ## Content This isn’t a script for a thriller. It’s what actually happened. Earlier this year, Daily Maverick’s investigative team got wind of a highlevel scheme involving the [Independent Development Trust](https://idt.org.za/) (IDT) – a state-owned entity that spends R4-billion annually on schools and clinics. Our work showed that this budget is being wasted through dodgy tenders and skimming, resulting in the suspension of the CEO, Tebogo Malaka. [**Sign up to be a member of Daily Maverick**](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider?utm_source=dm_website&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=cost_of_a_bribe) When it became clear that our investigation into Malaka’s illicitly acquired property portfolio was still ongoing, WhatsApp messages to chief muckraker Pieter-Louis Myburgh arrived, asking to meet and discuss “sensitive matters” of “mutual interests”. These “mutual interests” came in the form of bound [R200 notes in a Dior shopping bag](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-06-exclusive-video-suspended-idt-ceo-spokesperson-offer-daily-maverick-journalist-r60k-in-cash-to-quash-investigation/). **R60,000 in cash.** And the promise of more to come. **Not done in a clandestine or dark corner. Handed brazenly to our journalist in broad daylight** to kill an ongoing story and to start publishing favourable stories about the IDT and its leadership. ![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IDT-Malaka-PLM-Bribe-offer5.jpg) **And what did we do?** We didn’t just walk into that trap. We consulted lawyers and advocates to ensure our work was procedurally sound. We briefed security to ensure the safety of Pieter-Louis. We planned surveillance. We rehearsed safety protocols. We prepared affidavits. We recorded everything. The operation cost us more than **R200,000.** Not including the adrenaline. And the worry that one of our team may be physically assaulted, or worse, if this went badly. **The result?** A sting operation. With videographic evidence and a story that pulled back the velvet curtain on how far corruption goes to silence journalism. **Here’s the truth:** Good journalism isn’t free. It doesn’t just happen behind a keyboard and screen. It costs time. It takes many resources. Sometimes it costs safety. But what does it give us? A fighting chance to protect our institutions that are supposed to be serving our people – our schools. Our future. **Support the newsroom that said no to hush money. That couldn’t be bought.** Become a Maverick Insider member today. Not just because it costs a lot to produce but because this is journalism working for the benefit of all South Africans. Your contribution helps us: - Fund investigations like this one - Pay for lawyers, security, editing and more - So we can publish the truth that defends our country [**Sign up to be a member of Daily Maverick**](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider?utm_source=dm_website&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=cost_of_a_bribe) This is your newsroom, too. And this – this is what it takes to **Defend Truth**.