By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The City of Tshwane has confirmed that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) searched the office of chief financial officer Gareth Mnisi on Wednesday, 29 October 2026.
According to the city, the request was made to the acting city manager, who granted SARS access to the office in Mnisi’s presence.
The search has since been completed, and Mnisi has been given time to attend to the matter. The case now rests with SARS’ search-and-seizure unit.
The city says it will cooperate with the investigation but will not comment further while the process is underway.
Mnisi was suspended earlier this year amid allegations that he may have influenced procurement processes by sharing confidential tender information.
He was serving as chair of the city’s Bid Adjudication Committee at the time.
He returned to work three months ago after receiving a final written warning following disciplinary proceedings linked to allegations raised before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) launched an urgent court application challenging both the decision to downgrade the allegations and the legality of the council meeting at which the decision was taken.
The application also challenged the suspension of municipal manager Johann Mettler, with trade union Solidarity joining the legal challenge.
The Pretoria High Court has since overturned the Tshwane Council’s bid to sideline Mettler, ordering his immediate reinstatement. The judgement was handed down on Friday, 31 July 2026.