By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The suspended Tshwane metro CFO Gareth Mnisi dismissed claims that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema gave him a list of seven companies bidding for a R2.9 billion security tender in the city.
Mnisi made his first appearance on Friday, with his time on the witness stand characterised by blanket denials of the allegations against him.
He faces allegations of abusing his position CFO and chairperson of the city’s bid adjudication committee (BAC) to steer the awarding of tenders towards his preferred bidders.
The Commission heard that TMPD Deputy Chief of Police, Umashi Dlamini, asked suspended South African Police Service (SAPS) Sergeant Fannie Nkosi – through WhatsApp messages – to forward a list of seven companies to Mnisi to verify if it matched one he allegedly received from Malema.
Mnisi told the commission that of the 57 companies, only seven were successful, including Ngapesheya Security Services and Elshaadai Security Services.
Mnisi said he does not know why Dlamini would suggest anyone from the EFF would provide him with a list of bidding companies, adding that he never interacted with Malema.
He further maintained that Nkosi and Dlamini only asked him to verify whether the companies met mandatory administrative compliance requirements, and that the request was not related to the adjudication or selection of tender awards.
Mnisi also denied receiving kickbacks for assisting Ngapesheya Security Services in securing a tender, maintaining that he merely offered advice to Nkosi regarding the company’s tender bid as a friend.
The commission heard evidence of WhatsApp exchanges between Nkosi and Mnisi suggesting that Mnisi advised Nkosi to inform his brother that Ngapesheya Security Services needed to upgrade its grading to an “A” level before it could qualify for the tender, as its documents reflected a “B” grading.
Mnisi has rejected this interpretation, saying he only reviewed the documents, identified a shortcoming, and informed Nkosi that the company would only qualify once it met the required “A” grading standard.
Meanwhile the family of EFF deputy president Godrich Gardee is calling for suspended Mpumalanga police commissioner Daphney Manamela to appear before the Commission.
Fifteen-year-old Hillary Gardee was shot and killed in Nelspruit in April 2022.
Three suspects were arrested soon after the murder. However, one of the suspects, Rassie Nkuna, remained on the run.
During a media briefing on Sunday, Manamela claimed Nkuna was in contact with Major General Dorah Xaba, the District Commissioner of Ehlanzeni.
She alleged that Xaba helped Nkuna hide and even told him not to speak to any police officers.
Xaba allegedly lied, claiming she was the investigating officer.
In a letter to the Madlanga Commission’s secretary, through their attorneys, Gardee said the fresh allegations confirm long-held suspicions of interference and the obstruction of justice.
“The allegations now placed in the public domain materially affect both the criminal process and the pending civil litigation, including issues of state liability, negligence and/or misconduct of officials and causation relating to the failure to apprehend the suspect timeously,” the letter added.
The family also called for urgent action.
“We confirm that we act on behalf of the Gardee family, who are also plaintiffs in civil proceedings currently pending before the High Court of South Africa, Mpumalanga Division, Mbombela under Case No: 5124/2023,” the letter stated.
Acting police Minister Firoz Cachalia urged senior police officers to use the correct channels to report alleged misconduct within the service.
Cachalia warned that deviating from public communications protocol amounts to misconduct.
He stressed that allegations like those raised by Manamela must be reported.
“Any information relating to alleged misconduct or corruption must be referred to the appropriate authorities, including the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is mandated to investigate and address such allegations.”