The Madlanga Commission heard evidence from suspended Tshwane Metro Police Deputy Chief Umashi Dhlamini.
Image: Kamogelo Moichela / IOL News
Suspended Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) Deputy Chief Umashi Dhlamini has told the Madlanga Commission he voluntarily chose to be placed on suspension after allegations of impropriety emerged.
On Friday, the commission continued to hear evidence from Dhlamini, who stated that after allegations against him emerged, he chose a precautionary suspension.
Evidence leader Teboho Mosikili said it was quite unusual for a government official to voluntarily step down, even if it is temporary.
Dhlamini told the commission he had known his chief accuser, SA Police Service Gauteng Organised Crime Unit Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, from the early 1990s while he was still attending school at Entokozweni Primary School in Soshanguve, Tshwane.
“We come from the same neighbourhood in Soshanguve,” Dhlamini explained, adding that he knew Nkosi as a young boy..
“In 1996, I became actively involved in managing the family business, which was when I started having close interaction with Nkosi on a personal level.”
This included marital advise as and when Nkosi encountered challenges, according to Dhlamini, whose family is in the taxi industry.
Dhlamini said he did not understand the reasons or relevance for the request for details of his suspension and subsequent disciplinary action.
“I have serious apprehension of the relevance of the request, and I believe that it is inappropriate to want to sneak or attempt to reopen the disciplinary process, which was duly concluded by the city,” he complained.
He emphasised that the City of Tshwane accepted the outcomes of the disciplinary case against him.
“I was cleared of the allegations. As it stands, there is no disciplinary case pending against me nor a review application on the matter.”
Dhlamini added that his communication with Nkosi is frequent and flows naturally, as it will be between the brothers.
“It is impossible to keep a record of how many times we have engaged on any particular topic. Our discussions encompass many aspects, not limited to a particular matter. The recent discussions, among others, were when he came to me and requested assistance in completing a tender document for his younger brother,” he said.
Dhlamini said he refused to assist Nkosi and instead advised that helping him with the request would amount to a conflict of interest.
“I referred Nkosi to Nico Mathobela for assistance. I did so because Mathobela is well vested with administrative matters,” he maintained.
Dhlamini explained that he wanted to put it on record that he has never received any payments or benefits from Nkosi, whether directly or indirectly, nor received payment from a third party through him or anyone else.
The commission adjourned until Tuesday due to a witness scheduled for Monday being unavailable.