Gareth Mnisi, Chief Financial Officer of the City of Tshwane. (Photo: X)
The City of Tshwane can now officially begin the process of provisionally suspending Gareth Mnisi, the metro’s chief financial officer, after he was implicated before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in the alleged manipulation of tenders in Tshwane.
Dr. Nasiphi Moya, the mayor of Tshwane, says the metro council approved a report at a council meeting on Thursday evening to start disciplinary measures against Mnisi, including steps to suspend him as a precaution.
“Mnisi will now be given the opportunity to make representations in writing within seven days with reasons why he should not be suspended. The council will consider these representations before making a final decision.”
An independent investigator will now be appointed to investigate the allegations of tender manipulation in Tshwane.
“This is to ensure that the process is objective, credible and verifiable,” explained Moya.
Dr. A.S. Nasiphi Moya, the mayor of Tshwane. (Photo: ActionSA/X)
“This step reflects the seriousness with which the City views allegations regarding financial management, accountability and oversight. Given the central role of the CFO in protecting the City’s financial systems, it is imperative that these matters are handled in a way that protects both the integrity of the institution and the credibility of the process.”
However, Moya made it very clear that the metro is currently simply taking a precautionary measure to enable a “fair, thorough and uninterrupted process”.
“This is not a finding of infringement,” the mayor insisted on Thursday evening after the council meeting.
Mnisi was on leave all week this week while Moya’s coalition government prepared the matter for the metro council’s consideration.
Thursday’s council meeting was the first council meeting in Tshwane since serious allegations of, among other things, tender manipulation in the metro were made before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Sgt. Fannie Nkosi, alleged right hand of Lt. Gen. Shadrack Sibiya, the suspended deputy national police commissioner, recently testified before the Madlanga commission of inquiry and linked ActionSA as well as the EFF to the alleged tender manipulation in the metro.
Among other things, Nkosi testified that Umashi Dhlamini, deputy chief of the Tshwane Metropolitan Police (TMPD), compiled a list of preferred companies for a contract and members of the EFF gave this list to Nkosi.
Obakeng Ramabodu, the EFF leader in Tshwane. (Photo: Obakeng Ramabodu/X)
‘We know nothing’ – EFF
“There is no leader of the EFF who has sent a list to anyone,” Obakeng Ramabodu, the EFF’s caucus leader in Tshwane, insisted before the council meeting on Thursday.
“But we know we are suspects number 1,” said Ramabodu.
Ramabodu challenged those with evidence to come forward and provide that evidence.
It is also alleged in mobile phone messages between Mnisi and Nkosi that individuals linked to ActionSA participated in discussions about alleged tender fraud in Tshwane.
ActionSA has meanwhile written to Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and requested that should Mnisi be called to testify before the commission, he be requested to disclose to the commission the names of the alleged ActionSA members with whom he met on tender matters.
“We also challenge the CFO to say who gave him the list,” Ramabodu said on Thursday.
“We have never met and discussed the list. Our conscience is clear. We know nothing.”