By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Deputy chief of police for Asset Protection and Security Services, Commissioner Revo Spies testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that purchase orders worth over R13 million for ad hoc services were created within days in March 2025, following alleged communications between Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi and a Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) Deputy Police Chief Umashi Dhlamini.
Evidence leader Teboho Mosikili linked these payments to WhatsApp communications presented earlier during SAPS Gauteng Organised Crime Sergeant Fannie Nkosi testimony, suggesting coordination around procurement processes and payment approvals.
While Spies could not confirm the substance of those communications, he acknowledged that both officials played roles in the tender extension process.
Spies said he ordered that all ad-hoc services be stopped when he realised that they were being abused.
However, Spies said that despite his order, a company by the name of Gubis 85 Solutions continued invoicing the municipality for millions for ad-hoc services.
The commission also probed whether procurement systems could be abused by generating purchase orders for work not actually performed.
Spies said controls exist, including site inspections and verification processes, but conceded that corruption could circumvent safeguards.
He previously testified before the commission on the corruption and mismanagement in the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) focusing more on the blue light scandal.
His testimony also touched on how uncontrollable the suspended EMPD acting chief, commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, was under the protection of the former city manager, Imogen Mashazi.
Spies revealed that Mkhwanazi unlawfully authorised the installation of police blue lights on alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s private vehicles, effectively granting him official privileges.
Meanwhile the commission adjourned for the Easter break after 89 days of hearings, with 49 witnesses appearing to date.
“It’s also important for us to say that we are encouraged by the fact that quite a number of individuals are still coming forward with information and assisting the commission in achieving its mandate,” said the commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tshwane has revealed explosive details from its submissions to the commission. The party claims a cartel controls security, water and waste tenders in the metro. This follows an internal investigation into alleged tender corruption and fraud in the capital.