Tshwane CFO denies tender manipulation despite links to police sergeant

Gareth Mnisi rejected allegations that he influenced procurement decisions after receiving bidder names from a suspended officer.

Suspended City of Tshwane chief financial officer Gareth Mnisi denied allegations of tender manipulation and collusion when he testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on 17 April, saying he neither influenced procurement outcomes nor received financial benefit from controversial police sergeant Fannie Nkosi.¹²

Mnisi was placed on precautionary suspension on 15 April for three months while an investigation examines his alleged involvement in tender rigging related to a R2.9-billion Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department security services contract.¹ The commission is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption in metro police structures and procurement processes.²

Central to the inquiry are WhatsApp messages in which Nkosi sent Mnisi lists of companies that had bid for city security tenders.² Evidence before the commission indicates two of those companies were subsequently awarded portions of the contract.² Mnisi acknowledged receiving the communications but rejected any suggestion that they constituted interference, stating that Nkosi operated under a "mistaken belief" that he could assess compliance in the tender process.²

Mnisi described Nkosi, whom he called "like a brother", as a close personal friend formed during a difficult period in his life rather than a professional or business association.¹² He maintained he did not assist any bidder directly or indirectly.²

Three security companies contracted by the city are under scrutiny: Gubis 85 Solutions, owned by Calvin Mahlangu, which received the largest share of the tender; Triotic Protection Services, linked to ANC Tshwane chairperson Eugen Modise; and Ngaphesheya Security, owned by Bheki Nkosi and linked to Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.³ Mnisi distanced himself from all three companies, stating he never personally benefited from any of them.³

Five individuals have emerged as central figures in the alleged manipulation: Mnisi, suspended TMPD deputy chief Umashi Dhlamini, suspended director of asset protection services Tshukudu Malatji, inspector Alfred Phiri, and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.¹ A replacement tender advertised on 10 March remains unfinalised nearly a decade after the original process began.¹