Suspended Tshwane CFO denies tender manipulation despite WhatsApp exchanges with police sergeant

Gareth Mnisi told the Madlanga Commission he received company names from Fannie Nkosi but did not influence procurement outcomes.

Suspended City of Tshwane chief financial officer Gareth Mnisi denied allegations of tender manipulation during testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry between 17 and 20 April, while acknowledging he received WhatsApp messages from police sergeant Fannie Nkosi containing names of companies bidding for a R2.9-billion security services contract¹². Two of the companies Nkosi sent to Mnisi were subsequently awarded portions of the contract².

Mnisi was placed on precautionary suspension on 15 April 2026 for three months pending an investigation into alleged tender rigging¹. He told the commission that Nkosi, whom he described as "like a brother", operated under a "mistaken belief" that he could assess compliance in the tender process². Mnisi said he made clear to Nkosi that he could not verify tender compliance⁵.

Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga challenged Mnisi's account, suggesting he was "actually cooperating" with Nkosi and may have requested company names during telephone calls⁵. Commissioner Sesi Baloyi asked why Mnisi had taken no action despite multiple warning signs of procurement interference, including alleged distribution of preferential company lists by suspended Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Umashi Dhlamini⁷.

Mnisi denied financially benefiting from three security companies under scrutiny: Gubis 85 Solutions, Triotic Protection Services and Ngaphesheya Security³. Gubis 85 Solutions, owned by Calvin Mahlangu, received the largest share of the tender³. Triotic Protection Services has been linked to ANC Tshwane chairperson Eugene Modise³, while Ngaphesheya Security is owned by Bheki Nkosi, linked to Fannie Nkosi³.

Mnisi also denied any dealings with Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema regarding the tender, telling evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson he was "managing" someone named Lekukele, not Malema⁶. The tender, first initiated nearly a decade ago, was renewed in 2025 despite alleged irregularities and missing documentation¹. A replacement tender advertised in March 2026 remains unfinalised¹.

The commission is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption in criminal justice and metro police structures².