--- title: "The IDT CEO bribery scandal; and how Daily Maverick broke the story" type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "Articles" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-09-the-idt-ceo-bribery-scandal-and-how-daily-maverick-broke-the-story/" published: "2025-08-09T00:00:00" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 807 --- # The IDT CEO bribery scandal; and how Daily Maverick broke the story Published 9 August 2025, 02:00 SAST ## Content ## The Weekend Wrap The IDT CEO scandal and a Power Chat with the journalist who caught it on camera. All in the weekend wrap. ## The Weekend Wrap The IDT CEO scandal and a Power Chat with the journalist who caught it on camera. All in the weekend wrap. ![tebogo malaka video sting](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IDT-Malaka-PLM-Bribe-offer3.jpg?fit=720%2C466&quality=89&ssl=1) ## [Tebogo Malaka ‘sting’ – here’s why Daily Maverick did it and what’s next](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-07-the-tebogo-malaka-video-sting-heres-why-daily-maverick-did-it/) The action of the Independent Development Trust’s CEO and her spokesperson is an assault on the fourth estate, a vital pillar of a functioning democracy, and on freedom of expression. By Pieter-Louis Myburgh and Jillian Green ## [Suspended IDT CEO, spokesperson offer Daily Maverick journalist R60K in cash to quash investigation](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/) In possibly the most brazen act of attempted bribery ever recorded on camera in this country, the IDT’s suspended CEO and the entity’s spokesperson offered this journalist R60,000 in cash to bury an ongoing Daily Maverick investigation. By Pieter-Louis Myburgh ## [Inside the investigation: Pieter-Louis Myburgh on reporting the IDT CEO bribery scandal](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-07-inside-the-investigation-pieter-louis-myburgh-on-reporting-the-idt-ceo-bribery-scandal/) In this episode of Power Chat, Daily Maverick’s Rebecca Davis speaks with investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh about his recent exposé on Independent Development Trust’s suspended CEO, Tebogo Malaka, and her attempt to bribe him. Myburgh unpacks how the story developed, what led him to a face-to-face meeting with Malaka and her spokesperson in a Western Cape restaurant, and the behind-the-scenes steps taken to expose the truth. By Rebecca Davis ![Image](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IDT-Bribe-Col-2000px.jpg?fit=720%2C446&quality=89&ssl=1) ## [Bribery bungle](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-06-bribery-bungle/) By Rico ## [IDT CEO bribery scandal – How I ended up with R60,000 in a Dior bag](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-09-idt-ceo-bribery-scandal-how-i-ended-up-with-r60000-in-a-dior-bag/) Daily Maverick journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh says he had a hunch that ‘something nefarious’ was afoot before his meeting with the suspended Independent Development Trust CEO and her spokesperson – who went on to offer him a wad of cash to suppress a continuing journalistic investigation. By Victoria O’Regan ## [Deputy President Paul Mashatile caught between luxury property, a shiny diamond and a hard place](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-05-deputy-president-paul-mashatile-caught-between-luxury-property-a-shiny-diamond-and-a-hard-place/) The ANC’s National Executive Committee broke for an hour on Sunday to deliberate on allegations of impropriety swirling around Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane. By Marianne Thamm ## [How to unlock your UIF benefits: dodge the delays, get your money](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-06-uif-how-to-make-process-as-stress-free-as-possible/) Many Unemployment Insurance Fund applicants experience frustrating delays and confusing procedures. Knowing what documents you need and how to avoid the pitfalls can save you time. By Lisakanya Venna ## [Mapped: Where coal pollution hits hardest in South Africa](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-04-mapped-where-coal-pollution-hits-hardest-in-south-africa/) Daily Maverick’s geo-journalism investigation reveals how Thubelihle in Mpumalanga and other townships suffer the worst of SA’s coal pollution. By Ethan van Diemen ![Mashatile](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ThammMashatile-copy-scaled.jpg?fit=720%2C360&quality=89&ssl=1) ## [Deputy President Paul Mashatile caught between luxury property, a shiny diamond and a hard place](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-05-deputy-president-paul-mashatile-caught-between-luxury-property-a-shiny-diamond-and-a-hard-place/) The ANC’s National Executive Committee broke for an hour on Sunday to deliberate on allegations of impropriety swirling around Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane. By Marianne Thamm ![Long queue to apply for UIF in person.](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Queue.jpg?fit=720%2C220&quality=89&ssl=1) ## [How to unlock your UIF benefits: dodge the delays, get your money](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-06-uif-how-to-make-process-as-stress-free-as-possible/) Many Unemployment Insurance Fund applicants experience frustrating delays and confusing procedures. Knowing what documents you need and how to avoid the pitfalls can save you time. By Lisakanya Venna ## [Is rugby winning the war on head injuries after concussions marred the Wallabies-Lions series?](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-06-is-rugby-winning-the-war-on-head-injuries-after-concussions-marred-the-wallabies-lions-series/) The recent series between Australia and the British & Irish Lions was filled with moments — big and small — that shaped the outcome and threw up several talking points. It also brightly put the spotlight on player welfare again after a slew of concussions. By Craig Ray ## [Mapped: Where coal pollution hits hardest in South Africa](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-04-mapped-where-coal-pollution-hits-hardest-in-south-africa/) Daily Maverick’s geo-journalism investigation reveals how Thubelihle in Mpumalanga and other townships suffer the worst of SA’s coal pollution. By Ethan van Diemen ## [Meet the 31-year-old Sowetan who compiled Joburg’s first digital heritage register](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-04-meet-the-31-year-old-sowetan-who-compiled-joburgs-first-digital-heritage-register/) Johannesburg’s first digital heritage register documents 90 sites, many of them unknown to the public. By Anna Cox ![31-year-old Sowetan behind Joburg’s first digital heritage register](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG-20250718-WA0019.jpg?fit=720%2C475&quality=89&ssl=1) ## [Is rugby winning the war on head injuries after concussions marred the Wallabies-Lions series?](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-06-is-rugby-winning-the-war-on-head-injuries-after-concussions-marred-the-wallabies-lions-series/) The recent series between Australia and the British & Irish Lions was filled with moments — big and small — that shaped the outcome and threw up several talking points. It also brightly put the spotlight on player welfare again after a slew of concussions. By Craig Ray ![Image](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228172681.jpg?fit=1809%2C1107&quality=89&ssl=1) ## [Spend the night in sassy Soweto to catch the good vibes](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-06-soweto-stay-the-night-to-catch-good-vibes/) Day tours of the famous Johannesburg township don’t quite capture its versatility and vibrancy. Stay over to experience the storied history and community, excellent food and friendly feel. By Bridget Hilton-Barber ![Image](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023_04_24_CROSSWORDS-GIF-TEST3-1.gif?fit=400%2C217&ssl=1) ## [Daily Mini Crossword Quickie](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/mini-crosswords/) [Play here.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/mini-crosswords/) ## [Eggs-istential Guilt Be Gone — here’s how not to waste them](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-08-eggs-istential-guilt-be-gone-heres-how-not-to-waste-them/) Waste not, want not. Once you’ve used yolks for mayonnaise, transform leftover egg whites into marvellous macarons. By Anna Trapido [Subscribe to First Thing](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/edit-my-profile/) to receive the Weekend Wrap in your inbox every Sunday morning. If you value the work our journalists do and want to support Daily Maverick, consider becoming a Maverick Insider. [Support DM](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/)