Scrutiny Intensifies on Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi Amid Procurement Allegations

Initial Confrontation at the Madlanga Commission

On Monday, 20 April, suspended City of Tshwane Chief Financial Officer Gareth Mnisi faced intense questioning from Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC, commissioner of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Baloyi challenged Mnisi on whether he had noticed the numerous warning signs indicating potential manipulation within the city’s procurement procedures.

Despite Mnisi’s denials of any involvement in tender manipulation, Baloyi pressed him on why he had been directly solicited to assist a specific bidder-a clear indication of irregularities.

Allegations Involving Key Tshwane Officials

Baloyi revealed that Tshwane’s deputy mayor, Eugene Modise, had also been approached with similar requests, suggesting a broader pattern of interference. Further, the commissioner questioned Mnisi about claims that suspended Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) deputy chief Umashi Dlamini circulated lists of companies favored for preferential treatment, and that Victor Kgopa, chair of the bid evaluation committee, had allegedly received specific “mandates” influencing procurement decisions.

Accountability Questioned: “Why Was No Action Taken?”

Baloyi confronted Mnisi directly: “Why did you do nothing about these serious concerns?” Both Mnisi and city manager Johann Mettler were held accountable for upholding the integrity of Tshwane’s procurement system. Their failure to act raised significant doubts about governance and responsibility at the municipality’s highest levels.

Disturbing Tender Irregularities Uncovered

Testimonies before the commission exposed troubling irregularities in tender processes, particularly a 2016/17 contract for security services safeguarding TMPD assets and personnel. The inquiry highlighted missing documentation, procedural anomalies, and ongoing legal disputes. Despite these red flags, the contract was renewed in 2025, raising questions about oversight and due diligence.

Central to the investigation are companies like Ngaphesheya Construction-owned by Bheki Nkosi, brother of police sergeant Fannie Nkosi-alongside Elshaddai Security Services and Gupis85 Solutions. These firms were among seven awarded contracts related to monitoring illegal land occupations and demolishing unauthorized structures within Tshwane.

WhatsApp Evidence Suggests Coordinated Tender Manipulation

Advocate Matthew Chaskalson, leading the commission’s evidence presentation, introduced a series of WhatsApp messages that further undermined Mnisi’s defense. These communications suggested possible collusion between Mnisi, Dlamini, and Nkosi to influence tender outcomes.

One message from Mnisi to Nkosi stated, “Thank you I’m on top of it.” Mnisi later claimed this was a frustrated response to a flood of messages, asserting he was merely “playing along” without genuine engagement. However, commission chair Mbuyiseli Madlanga was skeptical, implying Mnisi was actively cooperating and requesting bidder names.

Patterns of Communication Reveal Possible Bid Steering

Chaskalson highlighted multiple instances on 11 March 2025 where Nkosi sent Mnisi lists of potential bidders, including Ngaphesheya Construction, Elshaddai Security Services, and Gupis85 Solutions. The exchanges indicated that communications between Mnisi and Dlamini were often routed through Nkosi, a fact Mnisi eventually acknowledged.

Another notable message involved a list of seven companies referred to as “the red berets,” with Dlamini asking Nkosi to verify if this was the same list provided by “Juju,” a nickname Mnisi accepted as referring to Julius Malema. Mnisi denied ever receiving such a list from Malema, suggesting Dlamini may have assumed otherwise.

Concerns Over Sharing Sensitive Financial Information

Mnisi was questioned about sharing internal financial details with Nkosi, who held no official position within the City of Tshwane. Evidence showed Mnisi discussing payment delays related to Gupis85 Solutions, raising alarms about the confidentiality of municipal financial data.

In a WhatsApp message dated 6 March 2025, Mnisi wrote to Nkosi: “Please extend my gratitude to Dlamini, he has delivered. Purchase orders as per request have been approved.” These purchase orders were reportedly valued between R12 million and R13 million. Commissioner Sandile Khumalo probed why Mnisi involved Nkosi in such high-value invoice matters, implying a deeper level of collaboration than Mnisi admitted.

Potential Conflict of Interest in Tender Assistance

On 24 April 2025, a WhatsApp message allegedly from Mnisi to Nkosi stated: “Ngaphesheya is Grade B security guards and not Grade A as required.” Mnisi strongly denied controlling Ngaphesheya Construction and claimed the message was based solely on a document he reviewed.

Commission chair Madlanga questioned whether Mnisi’s involvement with Ngaphesheya, even if related to a different municipality’s tender, constituted a conflict of interest-especially since the company was simultaneously bidding for contracts in Tshwane.

Madlanga emphasized that as chair of Tshwane’s bid adjudication committee, Mnisi would be responsible for evaluating and recommending contract awards, which could create at least the appearance of a conflict. Mnisi rejected this, arguing his input was informal advice and unrelated to the City of Tshwane’s tender process.

He maintained that he had not reviewed full tender documents and that the tender in question was still open, thus he was not directly involved. However, Madlanga criticized this narrow interpretation, stating that by assisting a bidder, Mnisi effectively contributed to their proposal while overseeing the tender process.

“You are adjudicating a process in which an entity you assisted is a participant, yet you claim no conflict of interest. This is an overly restrictive view of what constitutes a conflict,” Madlanga remarked.

DM