Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala has denied any wrongdoing in the appointment process of the Independent Development Trust (IDT) CEO, Tebogo Malaka.
Zikalala claimed that the allegations were a deliberate and malicious smear campaign driven by private and political interests.
This after AmaBungane, an investigative journalism centre, reported that Zikalala had worked alongside IDT chairperson Kwazi Mshengu to elevate Malaka into a permanent CEO position.
Media briefing
Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria on Tuesday, Zikalala explained that when he became Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure in March 2023, the process to appoint Malaka had been concluded by the IDT board and approved by his predecessor, Patricia de Lille.
He said the recommendation had already been submitted to Cabinet. However, he withdrew it in April 2023 due to concerns raised about governance matters within the IDT. These included allegations around the entity’s office lease.
“I am the first minister to task the board of the IDT to investigate the matter of the office lease and to give a report after six months. Instead, the IDT board got plagued by challenges and infighting among board members. [This] defocused the entity from its primary mandate of delivering social infrastructure to communities.
“There were serious concerns on government affairs of the [IDT]. And despite numerous attempts to assist from the department, there was little improvement,” said Zikalala.
Resignations
He said despite calls for some board members to be removed, several resigned on their own. A new board was later appointed in November 2023.
Some of the members who resigned include the then chairperson Zimbini Hill and Michael Sutcliffe. Also Raymond Nkado, and Timothy Sukazi.
An investigation by the department’s internal audit unit followed and recommended an in-depth investigation by the anti-corruption unit.
He said he handed over the report and other documents to his successor, Dean Macpherson. He did this in July 2024, as part of a detailed transition process.
Zikalala emphasised that he did not interfere with the appointment. There was no final report or state body ruling against Malaka’s appointment, he added.
CEO approved by board
“The truth is that the CEO was recommended and deemed suitable through a proper public process by the board that Ms Zimbini Hill led as the chairperson. I must emphasise that this was prior to Minister Sihle Zikalala’s arrival in the department,” said Zikalala.
“I have, therefore, resolved to subject this matter to the Public Protector for a thorough investigation. This will assist so that the truth is exposed. And we [can thus] avoid narratives that are laced with innuendos and speculation. In all my public life I have never and will never attempt to escape public scrutiny or inquiry,” he added.
