Suspended Tshwane Metro Police deputy chief, Umashi Dhlamini has denied he rigged tenders in his department for personal reasons.
Image: Kamogelo Moichela / IOL News
Suspended Tshwane Metro Police deputy chief, Umashi Dhlamini has denied allegations that he influenced tenders and received bribes from Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.
Testifying before the Madlanga Commission on Friday morning, Dhlamini said he shared a personal relationship with Nkosi, which centred on guidance, including marriage counselling, not corruption.
He refuted claims that he played any role in manipulating lucrative municipal security contracts.
Dhlamini explained the nature of his relationship with Nkosi during his testimony, describing it as deeply personal and rooted in years of familiarity.
The two men grew up in Soshanguve, Pretoria, and maintained close ties into adulthood.“We are like brothers,” Dhlamini said, explaining that their connection predates their careers in law enforcement.
He told the commission that Nkosi was a regular presence at his family’s business in the 1990s, where he occasionally assisted with basic tasks.
Over time, the relationship grew stronger, extending beyond friendship into family matters.
Dhlamini said he was even entrusted by both families to lead lobola negotiations for Nkosi, an indication, he argued, of the level of trust placed in him.
“That process led to his marriage,” he said.
“Our relationship has grown since. I regard him as a family friend to the extent that our families chose me to lead a delegation that was sent to negotiate his lobola which culminated in marriage”.
Addressing the allegations directly, Dhlamini dismissed any suggestion that money or favours exchanged hands between them.
“I want to put it on record that I have never received any payments nor benefits from Sgt Nkosi whether directly or indirectly, nor received payment from a third party through him or anyone else,” he said.
Instead, he said Nkosi would approach him for advice on personal issues, including marital challenges.
“He was comfortable speaking to me about his marriage. That is the nature of our relationship,” Dhlamini said.
The commission is investigating claims that Dhlamini helped channel multi-million rand security tenders to selected companies.
Several firms, including Gubis85 Solution and others, have come under scrutiny for contracts awarded by the City of Tshwane.
Evidence presented earlier revealed that some companies received significant payments and a large share of infrastructure site allocations under the tender system.
Dhlamini, however, denied any involvement.“I have no relationship with any of the companies that were awarded these tenders,” he said. “I did not influence or assist any bidder.”
The commission previously that Gubis 85 Solutions, was paid R59 million and allocated 37 infrastructure sites, surpassing other service providers in both payment and site allocation.
The tender in question, known as TMPD 02-2016/2017, involved both fixed monthly security services and additional ad hoc deployments across municipal departments.
This was revealed by Revo Spies, the TMPD Deputy Chief of Police for Asset Protection and Security.
Dhlamini remains on voluntary suspension as investigations continue.
The inquiry is underway.
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