Suspended Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi Details Relationship with Sgt Fannie Nkosi at Inquiry
Emotional Support Amid Personal Turmoil
Gareth Mnisi, the suspended Chief Financial Officer of the City of Tshwane, appeared before the Madlanga commission of inquiry to recount how he first encountered Sgt Fannie Nkosi during a challenging period in his personal life. Mnisi revealed that he was enduring a “painful and hostile” divorce at the time, which left him emotionally vulnerable. He found comfort in Nkosi’s company, describing him as a compassionate listener and a trusted confidant.
Mnisi explained that their initial meeting occurred through a mutual acquaintance, sparked by their shared interest in motorcycles when Nkosi arrived on one. Over time, Mnisi increasingly sought Nkosi’s advice and support to navigate his personal difficulties, believing firmly in Nkosi’s discretion and loyalty.
Allegations of Tender Irregularities and Nkosi’s Role
Nkosi is currently under scrutiny as a suspected intermediary linking suspended police deputy commissioner Gen Shadrack Sibiya with alleged criminal cartels. Evidence presented at the commission includes WhatsApp messages in which Nkosi forwarded Mnisi a list of security companies involved in a bidding process for Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) tenders. This list notably included Ngaphesheya Construction and Projects, a company reportedly owned by Nkosi’s brother.
When questioned by the commission’s chief evidence leader, Matthew Chaskalson, about the purpose behind Nkosi sending the bidder names, Mnisi stated that Nkosi mistakenly believed he could verify the compliance of the bids. Mnisi clarified that he did not possess such authority and outlined the official procedures and personnel responsible for bid compliance checks.
Mnisi’s Role and Denial of Direct Involvement
At the time, Mnisi chaired the bid adjudication committee (BAC), overseeing the tender process. He firmly denied any direct or indirect assistance to bidders, emphasizing that despite Nkosi’s repeated forwarding of prospective bidder names-including those who eventually secured contracts-he did not influence the awarding of tenders.
Ngaphesheya Construction has received payments exceeding R2 million, despite ongoing allegations that the company did not meet compliance requirements when the tender was granted.
Procurement Challenges and SAP Ariba Platform
Mnisi also addressed why Nkosi provided him with Ngaphesheya’s vendor number. He explained that many suppliers faced difficulties navigating the city’s procurement system, particularly during the transition to SAP Ariba, a comprehensive digital platform designed to streamline sourcing, purchasing, supplier management, contracts, invoicing, and payments through the SAP Business Network.
“I had no issue assisting suppliers with these challenges, as I had done so previously for others,” Mnisi stated. He highlighted the collective efforts to resolve migration issues to SAP Ariba, underscoring the significant benefits this system offers to the city’s procurement efficiency.
Current Status and Ongoing Investigations
Mnisi is currently suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation into allegations of tender manipulation. He faces accusations of facilitating the irregular awarding of multimillion-rand contracts to favored companies. The commission continues to examine the extent of his involvement and the broader implications for governance within Tshwane’s procurement processes.
Source: Sowetan
