The suspended Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the City of Tshwane resolutely dismissed claims that Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, provided him with a list of seven companies competing for a massive R2.9 billion security tender linked to the Tshwane Metro Police Department.
Image: Oupa Mokoena Independent Newspapers
Gareth Mnisi, the suspended City of Tshwane CFO, has dismissed allegations that EFF leader Julius Malema provided him with a list of seven companies vying for a R2.9 billion security tender in the city. This comes amid accusations of tender rigging within the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD).
This occurred during his second appearance at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry yesterday, where he faced intense questioning following his testimony on Friday.
Mnisi faced questioning over his role in the alleged security tender-rigging and his relationship with Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, whom he described as his friend.
He told the commission that Nkosi forwarded him a list of seven companies from suspended TMPD deputy chief Umashi Dhlamini to check for compliance.
The message was followed by another that read in part: "The above is from the red berets, please check with Mfowethu (Mnisi) if it is the same with his from CIC (Juju) to verify the authenticity."
When asked if he had ever received a list from Malema, he said: "No."
One of the seven companies listed at the top was Ngaphesheya Construction and Projects linked to Nkosi's brother, Bheki.
According to recent testimonies, Ngaphesheya was among the successful bidders that received over R2 million from the city for services rendered, out of over R10 million paid to various companies between November 2025 and January 2026.
Nkosi has been accused of conspiring with Dhlamini and Mnisi to help his brother's company secure a TMPD security tender despite the company not meeting the requirements.
Mnisi testified that after receiving the list he explained to Nkosi during a telephonic call that "I cannot check compliance because the tender has closed".
He reiterated that Nkosi mistakenly believed Mnisi could check compliance.
However, Co-commissioner Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC challenged his version, asking why Nkosi repeatedly sent Mnisi the message and why Mnisi thanked him after receiving the list.
Mnisi said he thanked Nkosi for the reminder to send the list.
He told the commission that Nkosi seemed persistent because he did not understand Mnisi could not check company compliance.
Mnisi said he was annoyed by Nkosi's persistence and showed it by ignoring him.
Co-commissioner Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC, however, took issue with Mnisi's annoyance, noting that Mnisi never showed evidence of it; instead, he acknowledged Nkosi's messages.
In one of the WhatsApp exchanges Mnisi told Nkosi that this was "our formal list" and he later told the commission he meant this was the final list for which he needed to check compliance.
Mnisi said: "This discussion took place more than a year ago. I have got no reason to lie about this."
He testified that he suspected Nkosi wanted him to exceed compliance and possibly secure the tender for both companies.
"I was not cooperating with him. There was nothing I could do to check compliance."
The commission heard that Deputy Mayor and Finance MMC, Eugene Modise sent Mnisi a message stating he met with ActionSA and EFF representatives who wanted him to push for five companies to be included in the list of preferred tender bidders.
Suspended City of Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi faces scrutiny over security tender-rigging allegations during his testimony at the Mdlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday.
Image: Oupa Mokoena/Independent Newspapers
Mnisi forwarded the message, saying he conveyed the warning that the tender award process could be compromised.
He conceded that Dhlamini had no legitimate role to play before the Bid Adjudication Committee.
Unpaid invoices for services rendered by a company called Gubis 85 Solutions came under the spotlight.
Nkosi recently testified that while driving to Mpumalanga with Mnisi, someone allegedly linked to Gubis phoned Mnisi demanding payment for outstanding invoices and threatening legal action against the city.
Nkosi claimed he overheard their conversation and decided to intervene by speaking to Dhlamini to resolve the payment dispute.
Mnisi was questioned about involving Nkosi in city matters when Nkosi was not a municipal official.
He responded that in hindsight he should have asked for direct contact with Dhlamini and liaised directly with him.
He denied sharing any confidential or sensitive city information with Nkosi, stating that their discussion was general and that he did not send Nkosi details about a service provider's owed amount.
Malema recently responded to testimony from the Madlanga Commission. He addressed allegations suggesting that the EFF provided a list of preferred companies for a multi-million-rand security contract.
He argued that the evidence presented, specifically certain WhatsApp exchanges, only demonstrates that an individual claimed the list was from the EFF, rather than proving the party actually sent it.Furthermore,
Malema stated that neither he nor any other members of the EFF leadership were contacted by the commission to verify these claims. He has dismissed the accusations as baseless. These developments were reported throughout March and April 2026.
Mnisi's testimony is under way.