By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The suspended Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) deputy chief Umashi Dhlamini admitted to meeting representatives of Gubis85 Security Solutions Pty Ltd.
Dhlamini was back to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at the Bridgette Mabandla Justice College on Tuesday.
He faces allegations of being part of a tender rigging scheme within the municipality.
Evidence before the commissions suggests Dhlamini colluded with internal and external actors to try and sway the awarding of TMPD tenders towards his preferred bidders.
Dhlamini testified that an individual known only as “Kane” arranged the meeting to discuss outstanding payment issues, later bringing in suspended Tshwane CFO, Gareth Mnisi, to assist.
However, he acknowledged that procurement-related disputes are typically handled internally within TMPD, not escalated externally.
“Kane never explained in detail. I only got to understand when we were in a meeting what is their request,” said Dhlamini.
He denied allegations of corruption or manipulating procurement to favor the Gubis 85 Solutions.
The commission also heard that Gubis85 was awarded the TMPD tender despite failing to meet several mandatory compliance requirements.
Dhlamini has also denied allegations that he assisted suspended SAPS sergeant, Fannie Nkosi, in securing a tender for his brother’s company, despite Whatsapp exchanges suggesting otherwise.
The commission heard that Nkosi has requested assistance from Dhlamini to verify compliance for Ngapesheya Security Services under a TMPD ad hoc tender.
While Dhlamini denied wrongdoing, evidence presented included messages showing him sharing tender documents with Nkosi and another individual known as Nico.
Meanwhile the controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi has filed a formal complaint seeking the recusal of evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson.
Mogotsi’s attorney, Makaula Sekgatja, confirmed that a formal application will be filed on Wednesday.
“Chair we do confirm that there is an intended application for the recusal of Mr. Chaskalson as evidence leader in relation to the evidence of Mr. Mogotsi. I am not sure if the commission has already received the suplementary affidavit,” said Sekgatja.
Mogotsi is expected back at the commission on 15 May, when the recusal application is scheduled to be heard.
Mogotsi’s acquittance Suleiman Carrim, has also submitted a medical certificate stating that he is confined to bed due to a medical condition.
Carrim, who was initially expected to resume his testimony on 16 April, suffered a cardiac arrest a few days earlier and was hospitalised.
Following the development, Chaskalson proposed that Carrim’s matter be stood down.
“Mr. Carrim was due to appear tomorrow. We received a medical certificate indicating that he is confined to bed. We were then hoping to proceed with Mr. Mogotsi tomorrow but he’s secured a postponement to file for my recusal so we no longer have a witness for tomorrow so we will have to resume on Thursday,” he said.
Justice Department meanwhile said it lacks funds to cover the Commission’s six-month extension into criminal justice in South Africa.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi said her department has already approached Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana for more funding. She added that the department has spent R123 million of its R147 million budget.