By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The City of Tshwane’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Gareth Mnisi, has been officially placed on precautionary suspension with full pay pending investigation.
A damning internal report tabled before the Tshwane Council on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, accuses Mnisi of using his position as chairperson of the Bid Adjudication Committee to steer lucrative tenders to preferred bidders.
The report, supported by testimony from the ongoing Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and alleged WhatsApp messages, claims Mnisi worked closely with senior officials and an organised crime police sergeant to influence the awarding of contracts.
According to the report, certain bidders were favoured through irregular scoring, rushed approvals and direct interference in the Bid Adjudication Committee meetings. The claims suggest millions of rands in public money may have been directed to companies with questionable connections.
In submissions through his legal representatives, Mnisi denied all allegations of wrongdoing and disputed that his presence in the workplace posed any risk to the investigation or the municipality.
Mnisi’s lawyers challenged the legality and fairness of the process, arguing that the initial notice issued on 28 March 2026 was defective and did not comply with Regulation 6(1) of the Local Government: Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers.
They further argued that Council had already effectively decided to suspend Mnisi without properly considering the required factors, including whether his presence would jeopardise investigations or destabilise the City.
That argument was rejected in the report, which states that the notice clearly reflected an “intended precautionary suspension” and was designed to allow Mnisi to make representations in line with procedural fairness requirements.
The report added that the allegations, which relate to procurement integrity, are serious and, although unproven, implicate Mnisi in his role as the official responsible for financial oversight in the municipality.
It further notes that Mnisi’s representations fail to adequately address key risks, including possible interference with the investigation, potential influence over witnesses, and broader institutional instability.
The council voted unanimously to adopt a report recommending Mnisi’s immediate suspension.
An independent investigator will be appointed to probe the allegations, with findings expected within 30 days. In the interim, Nthabiseng Mokete, head of the city’s budget division, has been nominated to serve as acting CFO.
Tshwane has long struggled with financial management, irregular expenditure and service delivery challenges. Any proven tender manipulation would deepen public distrust and add to the city’s already heavy burden of debt and governance problems.
Meanwhile, the City is also dealing with ongoing scrutiny surrounding Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise and his association with Triotic Protection Services, a company named during Commission proceedings over alleged irregularities linked to a multibillion-rand municipal security tender.
Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya confirmed that an independent forensic investigation into the matter was concluded in September 2025 and has since been tabled before the council, where it is under consideration.