Daily Maverick reports that the Independent Development Trust (IDT) has placed its chief executive, Tebogo Malaka, on precautionary suspension, effective from 1 August 2025.

This follows the finalisation of a forensic investigation into the botched R836-million PSA oxygen plant project. While no formal finding of misconduct has been made against Malaka, her suspension was aimed at ensuring an “independent and unhindered” continuation of the investigation, the IDT said. The PwC forensics report, commissioned in January 2025 and released by Public Works and Infrastructure (DPW&I) Minister Dean Macpherson on 29 July, called for disciplinary action against Malaka for failing to prevent or act on violations that might have cost the state hundreds of millions of rands. DPW&I deputy director-general Carmen-Joy Abrahams will act as CEO while investigations continue. The IDT, acting as an implementing agent for the Department of Health, was tasked with rolling out pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants to 55 public hospitals. The infrastructure programme quickly turned into a textbook case of public-sector malfeasance. According to Macpherson, the report “lays bare the depth of the procedural failings and regulatory breaches uncovered during the investigation”.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kara le Roux at Daily Maverick
• Lees ook, IDT-hoof geskors hangende ondersoek, by Maroela Media

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