Latest news with #CollenMashawana
The South African
7 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Collen Mashawana: Who is alleged IDT fraud linked businessman?
A property management and building supply company belonging to businessman Collen Mashawana has been linked to the construction of a R16 million luxury home belonging to suspended Independent Development Trust (IDT) CEO Tebogo Malaka. According to reports, the Limpopo-born businessman – the baby daddy of actress and muso Thembi Seete – landed a lucrative contract to head an employment scheme funded by the government's Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) – via his charity. The scheme is accused of short-changing and failing to pay hundreds of workers. Malaka made headlines last week for attempting to bribe a Daily Maverick investigative journalist. Mashawana's company denies any involvement. According to the Daily Maverick, the Collen Mashawana Foundation (CMF) did not use funds from the R60 million EWWP employment scheme contract for the intended purpose. Instead, he is accused of flushing millions into a luxury home belonging to IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka. This was reportedly done via his property management and building supply company, Luande Mukhethwa Properties, to Two Putswa Construction, which is responsible for building the house. The R16 million home is located in the Waterfall Estate, the same residential area as one of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's homes. Collen Mashawana. Images from Twitter@collenmashawana In a statement issued on Monday, 11 August, the business denied all allegations. 'The CMF strongly refutes the misleading implications published in a recent article by the Daily Maverick, which seeks to connect the Foundation's implementation of the Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) to alleged irregularities involving the suspended IDT CEO, Ms. Tebogo Malaka,' read a statement. It added: 'Two Putswa has been one of our clients for years, and we supply them as and when they need materials. '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'. Here is what we know about Collen Mashawana The philanthropist and businessman is known for his charitable endeavors, such as building houses and feeding the underprivileged. He has several business ventures in the infrastructure development sector. Mashawana fathered a son with singer and actress Thembi Seete in 2018. He is the former husband of fellow actress Lerato Moloi, who reportedly was 'best friends' with Seete. Mashawana also dated businesswoman and socialite Babalwa Mneno. Mashawana is close allies with Economic Freedom Front (EFF) leader Julius Malema, who was invited to speak at the former's charity event last year. Collen Mashawana allegedly owns a R30 million mansion in Dubai. Last year, he received his Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) degree at UNISA.
IOL News
10-08-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Mashawana-Linked Company Distances Itself from Malaka House Project
Dr Collen Mashawana 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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading '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.
