JOHANNESBURG – The Malaka Family Trust has come out in strong defence of Ms. Tebogo Malaka, calling the allegations published by the Daily Maverick part of a coordinated political campaign to remove her from her position at the Independent Development Trust (IDT).
Speaking through a public statement released on Thursday, the Trust said the incident being framed as a bribery attempt was in fact a “trap” meant to discredit Malaka and pave the way for her replacement with a politically connected figure.
The controversy stems from a meeting between Malaka and a journalist during which cash was allegedly introduced. The family said Malaka neither authorised nor handled the money, and that it was produced by the IDT’s own spokesperson. They claimed Malaka had no prior relationship with the journalist and had no role in setting up the meeting or choosing the location.
Calling the recording setup a deliberate entrapment, the Trust raised concerns over the legality and motives behind the hidden camera footage. “Who set up the cameras, and under whose authority?” the statement asked.
It further rejected the notion that Malaka could be accused of intending to bribe someone, stating that such an offence does not exist in law unless an actual bribe is offered or exchanged.
The Trust linked the current situation to long-standing tensions between Malaka and Minister Dean Macpherson, citing ongoing interference at board level. They pointed to allegations from civil society and political parties that suggest possible coordination between the journalist and the Minister’s office.
The family is now calling for the full release of the original, unedited video footage, access to communications between the journalist and IDT officials, and an independent inquiry into both political interference and the installation of surveillance equipment.
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