After a year marked by institutional instability and sustained public scrutiny, the Independent Development Trust (IDT) has closed 2025 with clear progress in stabilising its operations, restoring governance controls and strengthening financial discipline. These developments follow the appointment of a new Board of Trustees in July 2025 and reflect a decisive shift from crisis
management to structured recovery.
While the organisation inherited significant challenges mid-year, the IDT enters 2026 on firmer footing, with stabilised systems, improved oversight and renewed confidence from oversight institutions. The Board also acknowledges the contribution of Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sfiso Nsibande, seconded from the CIDB on 04 November 2025 whose steady leadership has
supported operational continuity and reinforced governance discipline during a critical period.

Financial Stabilisation and Debt Recovery
For the first time in several years, the IDT has recorded sustained progress in stabilising its financial position. This recovery has been driven by improved debt collection across key provincial portfolios, the restoration of billing cycles and tighter internal financial controls.
Overdue accounts are moving, revenue flows are stabilising and financial discipline has been re-established across core functions. Importantly, both the shareholder department and National Treasury have reinforced this recovery through renewed operational support and forward funding commitments, signalling growing confidence in the IDT’s governance trajectory and corrective
measures. These developments represent a turning point for an organisation that had been under
prolonged financial strain.

Accountability, Ethics and Consequence Management
The Board has adopted an uncompromising stance on ethics, accountability and consequence management. For the first time in recent years, corrective action is no longer theoretical it is active, enforced and visible.
Key actions underway include:

• Progress on major disciplinary matters involving procurement irregularities, attempted bribery and misappropriation.
  The IDT emphasises that staff movement during this period should not be misinterpreted as instability, but rather as evidence of a system correcting itself and re-establishing a culture of accountability
• The continued precautionary suspension of the CEO, with disciplinary processes actively progressing;
• Consequence management processes for staff implicated in forensic investigations, aligned to the PFMA and labour legislation;
• To institutionalise ethical standards, The Board, supported by the SIU has adopted and implemented a formal Lifestyle Audit Policy, which has already resulted in resignations.

Governance and Operational Reform
Significant governance and operational reforms have taken root across the organisation. These include:

• The operationalisation of a strengthened Delegation of Authority, reinforcing accountability and compliance;
• Improved accuracy in reporting, statutory submissions and audit readiness;
• Strengthened oversight of EPWP governance, supply chain management, legal enforcement and consequence management;
• Intensified provincial engagements to unblock operational constraints;
• Targeted interventions to address historical project backlogs, strengthen data integrity and ensure that legacy challenges are not carried forward into future years.
  Together, these reforms are laying the foundation for a credible, sustainable institution capable of delivering on its public mandate and protecting public funds.
  The Board extends its sincere appreciation to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, National Treasury, provincial client partners, community stakeholders and the many dedicated IDT employees who remained committed to service delivery during a demanding and uncertain year

While meaningful progress has been achieved, the Board acknowledges that the recovery process is ongoing. The next phase of reform will prioritise the completion of forensic and disciplinary matters, the strengthening of SCM, EPWP, ICT and governance controls, continued improvement of organisational culture and morale, reinforcement of financial sustainability, preparation for a rigorous audit cycle and the delivery of infrastructure that restores dignity to communities.

“This year required difficult decisions and firm leadership,” said Board Chairperson Ms Zimbini Hill. “We are stabilising the institution, correcting governance failures, and rebuilding the IDT into an organisation defined by integrity, discipline and public value. The work is not complete, but the direction is clear.”

The Board remains resolute in its commitment to restore public confidence, safeguard public funds, and ensure that instability of the past is not repeated.

Issued by:
Zimbini Hill
Chairperson: Board of Trustees
Independent Development Trust (IDT)

Ends

For Media enquiries: Ms. Lerato Modisana, 073 599 6633 or Lerato.Modisana@idt.org.za,
Senior Manager: Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Management.
Issued by the Independent Development Trust, an entity of the Department of
Public Works and Infrastructur