By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The chief of the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD), Yolande Faro has testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at Bridgette Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane.
Faro’s testimony came as the commission resumed public hearings following its Easter recess, picking up where it left off in investigating allegations of corruption within the procurement systems of the TMPD.
Her appearance placed the spotlight squarely on the internal functioning of the TMPD and its procurement systems, amid claims that sergeant Fannie Nkosi acted as a “go-between” linking officials and external actors.
The commission previously heard how Nkosi had approached now-suspended TMPD deputy chief Umashi Dlamini to secure a tender for his brother Bheki Nkosi’s company.
The company, Ngaphesheya Security Services, was non-compliant on at least 12 independent grounds, including the absence of a valid PSIRA certificate, failure to meet required grading, and lack of firearm licences.
In her evidence, Faro repeatedly stressed that procurement processes within Tshwane are tightly regulated and fall outside the direct control of the TMPD.
She explained that while the department contributes technical specifications for bids, all evaluation, adjudication and payment functions are handled centrally through the city’s supply chain structures under the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
She said TMPD does not have its own procurement department, adding that its role is limited to operational input and verification of services rendered.
Against this backdrop, Faro rejected any suggestion that Nkosi could have legitimately influenced procurement decisions within the department.
Faro also told the commission that she halted a three-year asset protection tender appointed by TMPD director Tshikudu Malatji and department representative Nava Pillay in 2022 within the asset protection unit, which cost more than R800 million.
Inspector Lebogang Phiri was also implicated for sending approval invoices to the Gubis 85 Solutions security company despite the order to stop services.
“I have since taken measures to suspend inspector Phiri, who issued the further deployment letters…Deputy commissioner Dhlamini is also on suspension and allegations which derive from this commission are being thoroughly investigated,” she said.
Faro said the testimony of corruption revealed at commission in her department was alarming. She said deputy chief Revo Spies has been instrumental in providing evidence of corruption.
She told the commission that Tshwane metro officials approved numerous controversial private security tenders to guard city assets and illegally occupied city buildings.
Faro said she halted more than 22 external ad hoc procurement services requests in March 2025, where officials would outsource security guards. She added that she has so far only approved two external services, which were deemed necessary.
“I do not have a sufficient background in relation to the procurement of these services, evaluation of the bid and recommendations for this appointment. I cannot state whether any service provider was favoured or not,” said Faro.
Faro added that a new tender process was initiated to replace the previous irregular tender and she halted external ad hoc security services on 12 March 2025.
Faro highlighted that she also instructed Spies to initiate a new control measure, specifically related to the deployment of ad hoc security guards, and to launch a full investigation that will lead to consequence management.
Among the measures put in place, she said, they have since put controls and processes in place on how to acquire ad hoc services to eliminate the abuse of these services.
“Now, when you make a request, you fill in a form, TMPD will do an assessment, and then authorise services,” she said.
Faro stated that “if you do not have a good reason to request ad hoc services, you will not be able to do so because the form requires that you motivate your request.”
She said that since implementing new services, TMPD has received two ad hoc security services requests in over a year.
She stated that TMPD is currently building its in-house capacity to eliminate reliance on outsourcing.
Faro conceded that some deputy officers have not been subjected to proper security clearance. She said that the failure to vet officials reflects an oversight the department can no longer ignore.
“They are your subordinates, is it not your responsibility to ensure that they have security clearance,” said co-commissioner Sandile Khumalo.
Khumalo added: “In the earlier paragraphs, you raised an issue about criminality and you say it shocked and dismayed you because the issues that have come out of this commission, according to you, amount to syphoning of money and criminal activities. One of the people against whom these accusations are labelled is a deputy within the TMPD. Why has he not been subjected to a formal vetting or security clearance?”
“I think we must be honest when we come to this commission. Maybe we have taken it for granted,” Faro responded.
Faro said the State Security Agency (SSA) conducts clearances that entail lifestyle audits, background checks, and polygraph tests.
Faro, who holds top-secret clearance from the State Security Agency, said tightening controls is critical to restoring trust. Appointed on October 1, 2023, Faro emphasised that she will ensure that all rogue elements in her department are dealt with and urged commission chair Justice Madlanga to send his family to pay lobola for her. In response, retired Justice Madlanga was all smiles.