Suspended Tshwane CFO denies tender rigging in Madlanga Commission testimony

Gareth Mnisi denied collusion over security contracts worth R2.9-billion despite WhatsApp messages linking him to police officer Fannie Nkosi.

Suspended City of Tshwane chief financial officer Gareth Mnisi denied allegations of tender manipulation and financial impropriety during multiple days of testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria between 17 and 21 April 2026¹²³. The commission is investigating alleged criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system, with particular focus on a R2.9-billion security tender for the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department¹².

Mnisi was placed on precautionary suspension on 15 April for three months pending an investigation into alleged involvement in tender rigging¹. He described his relationship with suspended police Organised Crime Unit member Sergeant Fannie Nkosi as "like a brother", formed during a difficult period in his life, and insisted he neither influenced procurement outcomes nor received financial benefit from Nkosi¹².

Central to the inquiry are WhatsApp messages in which Nkosi sent Mnisi lists of companies that had bid for the security contract². Evidence before the commission indicated two of those companies were subsequently awarded portions of the tender². Mnisi acknowledged receiving the communications but maintained Nkosi operated under a "mistaken belief" that he could assess compliance in the tender process². He denied assisting any bidder directly or indirectly².

Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga challenged Mnisi's account, suggesting he was "actually cooperating" with Nkosi and had requested the company names during telephone calls⁵. Commissioner Sesi Baloyi questioned why Mnisi took no action despite multiple warning signs of possible interference, noting that both Mnisi and city manager Johann Mettler bore responsibility for safeguarding procurement integrity⁷.

Evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson presented testimony that recommendations for one tender were made on 28 May before bids were scored on 29 May, which Chaskalson suggested could constitute fraud¹⁰. The commission also heard that Nkosi possessed a confidential draft report related to the tender, though Mnisi maintained he saw no problem with this¹¹.

Three security companies are under scrutiny: Gubis 85 Solutions, which received the largest portion of the contract and is owned by Calvin Mahlangu; Triotic Protection Services, linked to ANC Tshwane chairperson Eugene Modise; and Ngaphesheya Security, owned by Bheki Nkosi and linked to Fannie Nkosi³. Mnisi denied personally benefiting from any of the companies³. He also denied having dealings with Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema regarding the tender⁶.

The Madlanga Commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2025 following allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of corruption and political interference¹³. The commission's mandate has been extended to August 2026, with a second interim report due at the end of May and a final report due in August¹³.