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August 6, 2025 – South Africa –
On August 3, 2025, investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh of the Daily Maverick was offered a bribe of R60,000 in cash by two high-ranking officials of South Africa’s Independent Development Trust (IDT). The attempt was caught live on camera at a wine farm near Stellenbosch, where the suspended CEO of IDT, Tebogo Malaka, and the state agency’s spokesperson, Phasha Makgolane, tried to pay off Myburgh to prevent the publication of a report into a controversial R836 million oxygen plant contract.
The oxygen plant deal has been under intense scrutiny for alleged corruption and mismanagement, and Myburgh had been investigating IDT’s involvement. The officials requested a meeting under the pretence of addressing “misunderstandings” about the reporting. Instead, they placed a duffel bag full of money in front of the journalist and made a clear offer to drop the story. The moment was captured on film as part of a sting operation, ensuring comprehensive documentation of the bribery attempt.
Makgolane, visibly uncomfortable during the interaction, was filmed admitting they were under pressure and wanted the report to go away. Malaka remained silent throughout. Myburgh did not accept the bribe and instead released the footage, which has now gone viral and sparked public outrage.
This incident has drawn strong condemnation from press freedom advocates, who say it demonstrates both the vulnerability and the resilience of journalism in the face of corruption. Attempts to silence critical reporting through bribery not only violate ethical and legal standards but also highlight the desperation within some sectors of public institutions.
The IDT has yet to release an official response. Meanwhile, calls are growing for a full investigation into the bribery attempt and into the oxygen plant contract itself.
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