Article by Nolwazi Ndhlovu, Pictures by Caroline Mokotedi and Thokozani Ngema
10 June 2025
Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala has set the record straight on his involvement as a former DPWI Minister, on Independent Development Trust (IDT) matters, calling for ethical Journalism in reporting on such issues. In a media briefing held at the GCIS headquarters in Pretoria Zikalala addressed allegations against him and his involvement at IDT.
DM Zikalala said he was open to public scrutiny and any official investigation. “We cannot allow few Journalists to become battalions in pursuit of nefarious agendas. I support every effort to build credibility and effectiveness of the IDT!” he said.
The media briefing comes after several media reports, implicating Zikalala to have involved himself in the appointment of the IDT CEO and the squashing of an investigation on the lease of IDT office spaces.
The Deputy Minister detailed a list of chronological facts on the matters that led to the appointment of the CEO, clarifying that the CEO’s appointment was concluded by the previous DPWI Minister, before he was appointed. “The recommendation to appoint Ms Tebogo Malaka as the CEO of IDT, had already been submitted to Cabinet for final processing,” said the Deputy Minister.
The media has reported extensively on allegations of fraud and procurement irregularities involving the current CEO. “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,” said Zikalala.
The Deputy Minister has released two documents to the media, one with questions and his detailed answers to a media enquiry, and a second document with a detailed opinion on the appointment of the CEO of IDT.