South Africa’s public procurement system is once again under intense scrutiny following explosive revelations surrounding a massive R836 million oxygen plant tender scandal.
At the center of the controversy is Tebogo Malaka, CEO of the Independent Development Trust (IDT), who was suspended in August 2025 after a forensic audit uncovered severe governance failures and procurement irregularities.
What initially appeared as a routine corruption scandal has since evolved into a complex political saga implicating senior African National Congress (ANC) figures, including Deputy Minister Cel Zikalala and, reportedly, even President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The oxygen plant contract was intended to supply critical infrastructure to public health facilities across South Africa, a project of paramount importance in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) forensic investigation revealed that the tender process was marred by rushed approvals, ignored red flags, and a blatant disregard for compliance protocols.
Despite warnings from the Department of Health, the contract was signed, funds were disbursed, yet delivery of services was grossly inadequate.
The initial budget of R216 million ballooned to nearly R836 million—a staggering 174% increase—without documented approval or value-for-money assessments.
One contractor, Bulken PTY Ltd, was awarded contracts worth R428 million despite lacking proper accreditation, using licenses without consent, and failing to meet regulatory standards.
This “ghost company” scenario exemplifies the systemic failures that allowed public funds to be squandered.
This scandal is not Malaka’s first brush with controversy. Between 2011 and 2017, while serving as a regional manager at IDT, contracts worth over R33 million were awarded to a company linked to her sister-in-law.
Despite clear conflicts of interest, no disciplinary action or audits followed.
Instead, Malaka’s career advanced—she was promoted to acting CEO, then chair of the IDT board, and finally appointed full CEO.
This meteoric rise, critics argue, was less about merit and more about political protection.
One of her staunchest defenders has been Cel Zikalala, former KwaZulu-Natal premier and current Deputy Minister of Public Works.
Zikalala publicly dismissed allegations against Malaka as a media smear campaign, framing her as a victim targeted for her leadership.
Behind the scenes, the oxygen tender scandal has become a battleground for competing ANC factions.
While Cel Zikalala defended Malaka, Minister of Public Works Dean McPherson pushed for accountability, initiating the forensic audit that ultimately led to Malaka’s suspension.
Newly reappointed IDT board chair Zimini Hill aligned with McPherson, further isolating Malaka.
Adding complexity, leaked internal communications reveal Malaka directly messaged President Ramaphosa via WhatsApp, pleading for intervention and claiming she was being undermined by internal board members weaponizing oversight tools for political cleansing.
This unprecedented direct appeal to the president raises questions about the extent of political interference and protection within the ANC’s ranks.
The scandal took a dramatic turn when a Daily Maverick journalist was offered a R60,000 bribe by a man linked to Malaka’s communications team, an attempt to suppress investigative reporting.
The bribe was caught on hidden camera and subsequently rejected, igniting public outrage and forcing the IDT board to act decisively.
Until the bribe surfaced, Malaka remained in office and continued receiving her salary despite mounting evidence of mismanagement.
The exposure of this desperate attempt to buy silence shattered the protection Malaka had enjoyed and intensified calls for accountability.
The PwC report painted a damning picture of governance failures within the IDT. The board operated without quorum, lacked an audit committee, and held meetings with vague minutes.
Bid evaluation committees maintained incomplete records, creating an environment ripe for abuse.
Malaka approved the tender relying solely on assurances from the supply chain management staff without verifying documentation or convening risk committees.
She ignored warnings from the Department of Health and failed to exercise executive oversight.
The report recommended disciplinary action against Malaka and the supply chain general manager, Dr.Mabedi Cece.
While McPherson led the charge for reform, Zikalala remained vocal in his defense of Malaka, dismissing claims as politically motivated.
This contradiction exposed deep fault lines within the ANC, with one faction advocating for transparency and reform, and another seeking to protect allies and maintain the status quo.
Zikalala’s influence extended beyond public statements. In 2023, he reportedly halted an internal review of a questionable lease signed by Malaka, despite whistleblower complaints about procurement irregularities.
His defense of Malaka was not neutral but active, highlighting the factional battles playing out within the party.
Perhaps most telling is the silence of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Despite receiving direct messages from Malaka warning of political sabotage, Ramaphosa has not publicly addressed the scandal.
His silence has been interpreted by some as tacit approval of factional maneuvers or a strategic choice to avoid political fallout ahead of the 2026 elections.
This quiet approach contrasts sharply with the swift suspension of Malaka following the exposure of the bribe, suggesting a calculated political balancing act behind the scenes.
The oxygen tender scandal is more than a single case of corruption; it exemplifies systemic failures in South Africa’s public procurement system.
The IDT manages billions in contracts for education, health, and rural development, and when governance is weak, the consequences affect millions.
The PwC audit called for comprehensive reforms: retraining of committees, enforcement of procurement thresholds, transparent record-keeping, and lifestyle audits for hundreds of employees to detect conflicts of interest or illicit enrichment.
However, the effectiveness of these recommendations depends on genuine political will and follow-through.
Malaka’s legal team argues the audit was biased and politically motivated, denying direct involvement in the attempted bribe.
Meanwhile, the Hawks and Special Investigating Unit have launched criminal investigations, but no prosecutions have yet been announced.
Insiders suggest that further audits are underway for contracts awarded during Malaka’s tenure, with several former IDT staffers receiving legal notices.
The involvement of high-profile ANC figures like Zikalala may complicate efforts to hold all responsible parties accountable.
The public response has been one of frustration and anger.
Millions of rands meant for vital health infrastructure have been lost, while services remain undelivered and lives potentially at risk. Citizens are demanding transparency, reform, and justice.
Social media campaigns and investigative journalism continue to pressure authorities to act decisively.
Calls for parliamentary hearings and stronger oversight mechanisms grow louder as the 2026 elections approach.
The Tebogo Malaka oxygen tender scandal exposes the complex interplay of corruption, politics, and governance in South Africa.
It reveals how factional battles within the ruling party can undermine accountability and public trust.
Whether this scandal leads to meaningful reform or becomes another example of political sacrifice remains to be seen.
What is clear is that South Africans are watching closely, demanding that their public officials be held to account and that the systems designed to protect public resources be strengthened.
As investigations continue and political dynamics evolve, the oxygen tender case will serve as a critical test of South Africa’s commitment to transparency, justice, and good governance.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
