A high-profile charity boss has been pulled into a growing scandal over the construction of a R16 million luxury home linked to suspended Independent Development Trust (IDT) CEO Tebogo Malaka. Businessman Collen Mashawana, well-known for his philanthropic work and celebrity connections, now faces uncomfortable questions about whether his charity’s government-funded employment scheme was tied to the lavish property’s development.
From Government Contract to Mansion Controversy
Reports suggest Mashawana’s organisation, the Collen Mashawana Foundation (CMF), secured a lucrative R60 million contract under the government’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
The project, meant to create jobs, has been accused of failing to pay hundreds of workers.
Investigative outlet Daily Maverick alleges that instead of going entirely toward employment, some funds may have been channelled — indirectly — into the construction of Malaka’s plush Waterfall Estate home through Mashawana’s property management company, Luande Mukhethwa Properties.
The house, built by Two Putswa Construction, sits in the same exclusive estate as one of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s residences.
Mashawana Denies Any Wrongdoing
Mashawana’s camp has firmly rejected the allegations.
In a statement on Monday, 11 August, the CMF described the Daily Maverick’s claims as “misleading” and insisted there is no link between its EPWP project and Malaka’s mansion.
The statement explained that Two Putswa Construction has been a long-standing client, and CMF’s property company supplies materials to them when requested.
“We had absolutely no idea that the materials might have been used on a property associated with Ms Malaka,” it read.
“We do not ask about property ownership or the employment of the owner when taking orders. That is unheard of.”
Malaka’s Own Troubles
Malaka has been in the headlines for more than just the mansion.
Last week, she was accused of trying to bribe a Daily Maverick investigative journalist, further fuelling the controversy around her suspension from the IDT.
Who Is Collen Mashawana?
Collen Mashawana has built a public image as a generous philanthropist, frequently involved in projects that build homes and provide food for underprivileged communities.
His business interests span several sectors in infrastructure development.
In his personal life, he shares a son with actress and singer Thembi Seete, born in 2018.
Before that, he was married to actress Lerato Moloi — who, in a twist of celebrity drama, was once close friends with Seete.
He has also been romantically linked to businesswoman and socialite Babalwa Mneno.
Mashawana’s network extends into politics; he is known to be close with EFF leader Julius Malema, who spoke at one of his charity events last year.
On the lifestyle front, he reportedly owns a R30 million mansion in Dubai and was awarded an honorary doctorate from UNISA in 2024.
