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.
R60M CHARITY CONTRACT AND SUSPENDED IDT CEO’S LUXURY HOME
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.
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”.
WHO IS COLLEN MASHAWANA?
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.
