Mashawana-Linked Company Distances Itself from Malaka House Project
Image: Supplied
Luande Mukhethwa Properties, a property management and building material supplier linked to businessman Dr Collen Mashawana, has firmly rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing following reports connecting the firm to a contractor involved in the construction of a private residence allegedly associated with suspended IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka.
The company confirmed that it has supported Two Putswa Construction over several years by providing building materials on a project-by-project basis. According to Chief Executive Simphiwe Mazibuko, the transactions were consistent with their regular business dealings.'These were standard commercial transactions,' Mazibuko said.
'Two Putswa has been one of our clients for years, and we supply them as and when they need materials.'He emphasised that the company had no knowledge of who the end client was on any of the contractor's projects. The alleged link to Malaka, he said, only came to their attention through the media, well after the transactions had taken place.
'We had absolutely no idea that the materials might have been used on a property associated with Ms Malaka. We do not ask about the property ownership and employment of the owner when we are given an order. That is unheard of.' Mazibuko added.
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'There was nothing unusual about the requests, and we had no reason to question them.'Public scrutiny increased after reports surfaced in April linking Malaka to a house in Waterfall Country Estate, prompting questions about whether state resources may have been diverted. Malaka, who leads the Independent Development Trust, was placed on suspension in July while governance-related matters at the organisation are being investigated.
Attention also turned to the Collen Mashawana Foundation, which has been working with the IDT since August 2024 after receiving funding to implement Expanded Public Works Programme initiatives.
Some payments made by Luande Mukhethwa Properties to support the contractor reportedly occurred around the same time the foundation was receiving EPWP funds.
However, Mazibuko firmly rejected any suggestion of coordination or conflict of interest. 'Our relationship with Two Putswa Construction has nothing to do with the foundation or its work with the IDT,' he said.
Suspended Independent Development Trust CEO Tebogo Malaka.
Image: Picture: Supplied
He also expressed concern about what he described as an unfair link being drawn between his company and the public sector controversy. 'It is unfortunate that our name is being dragged into something we are not involved in,' Mazibuko said.
'We conduct our business professionally, and if there is ever a need for clarity, we are ready to provide it.'
The foundation has also denied any involvement in the construction project, with Chief Operating Officer Austin Mashawana stating that the organisation has never engaged with Two Putswa Construction and had no role in any payments linked to the property.
He added that Dr Collen Mashawana does not participate in day-to-day operations and maintains a non-operational role within the foundation.
To date, no formal investigation has been launched, and there is no evidence suggesting that public funds were misused.
Both Luande Mukhethwa Properties and the foundation have expressed their willingness to cooperate fully should any official inquiry be initiated.
While the foundation acknowledged delays in paying EPWP workers, it said those issues are being resolved and are unrelated to the current matter.
Both organisations maintain that they operate transparently and in compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
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