The Malaka Family Trust has defended embattled Independent Development Trust IDT chief executive officer CEO Tebogo Malaka against ongoing defamation and orchestrated attacks.
Malaka and IDT spokesperson Phasha Makgolane were caught on video allegedly attempting to bribe Daily Maverick investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh.
Footage, which is available on YouTube , shows the two allegedly offering Myburgh R60,000 in cash to bury a story on Malakas property in Midrands Waterfall Country Estate.
Myburgh had reportedly established a link between the CEO and an IDT contractor. Malaka is currently suspended following a forensic probe into a R836 million oxygen plant tender.
On Thursday 7 August, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson laid charges against Malaka following the videos release by Daily Maverick .
Malaka Family Trust respondsIn a statement on Thursday, the Trust claimed Daily Maverick s allegations against the CEO were defamatory and there was an ongoing political campaign to remove her from IDT.
These attacks are not grounded in truth, but in a calculated effort to replace her with a politically aligned figure, it added.
The Trust further questioned what it described as a trap engineered by others and demanded to know who set up the hidden cameras and why.
The public deserves to know who orchestrated this recording and whether it was done legally, ethically or as part of a political operation, it added.
Makgolane produced the cashIn an apparent attempt to throw Makgolane under the bus, the Trust claimed Malaka did not offer a bribe, did not suggest one and did not take out or authorise any money.