The recent Public Protector report and Madlanga Commission of Inquiry testimony has revealed deep-seated administrative and governance failures at the City of Tshwane.
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The recent Public Protector investigation, which has found that the City of Tshwane (CoT) had a flawed recruitment and selection process during the appointment of Chief of Emergency Services, Moshema Mosia, has become the latest allegation of deep-seated administrative and ethical failures at the metro.
The ongoing Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has also seen claims of deep-seated administrative, ethical, and governance failures within the metro, coinciding with broader, explosive revelations of corruption and tender rigging.
The Public Protector's office stated that the metro failed to ensure the advertisement for the position was clear and unambiguous before approving its publication, which compromised the objectivity, transparency, and fairness of the recruitment process.
The investigation was initiated after Sydney Johannes Tshabalala, who had served as a Deputy Chief Fire Officer within the metro, lodged a complaint in October 2023, which claimed that the metro undermined and bypassed the Fire Brigade Services Act to suit individuals.
He said Mosia applied with a Bachelor of Administration Degree, which is a corporate qualification, and is not relevant to the fire and rescue industry.
Tshababala also added that, although the report to the council dated October 31, 2019, titled 'Misrepresentation made by a section 56 manager' about qualifications, cautioned against the use of the words ‘equivalent’ or ‘career related’ qualifications in advertisements, as it is confusing the shortlisting process for candidates, the CoT had repeated the error in their recent advertisement.
Tshabalala also said that Mosia had a criminal record that he did not disclose to the CoT.
In its report, the Public Protector said the metro failed to implement the forensic investigation report and take steps to ensure that prescribed qualifications for the Chief of Emergency, who is assigned functions of Chief Fire Officer, are prescribed in the 2014 Regulations and aligned to section 5 of the Fire Brigade Act.
The report stated that the selection panel further failed to conduct a screening verification of candidates for qualification, reference checks, and previous employment, contrary to the provisions of Regulation 14 of the 2014 Regulations.
The metro said the administration is currently studying the report in detail to fully understand its implications.
“The necessary administrative and governance steps to give effect to the remedial actions prescribed by the Public Protector will be undertaken once this process has been concluded, including the tabling of the report before the council within the prescribed timeframe," it said, adding that it remains committed to upholding the highest standards of governance, transparency, and administrative integrity, and will act in accordance with the law and its institutional responsibilities.
The Public Protector’s report also stated that the City Manager, Johann Mettler, as the chairperson of the selection panel, failed to complete the report on the outcome of the screening process before the interviews took place, contrary to Regulation 14(2) of the 2014 Regulation, while the selection panel also failed to comply with the mandatory requirements of the 2014 Regulations during the recruitment and selection process.
The report stated that the city’s Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, is expected to table the report before the council for deliberation within 90 days.
The findings emerged as the city grapples with the intense scrutiny of the Madlanga Commission, which is exposing alleged widespread corruption, tender-rigging and allegations of dodgy appointments.
The commission has focused on a contentious R2,9 billion security tender and various contracts that allegedly bypassed proper supply chain procedures.
Testimony presented at the commission identifies a network of senior officials and political figures allegedly manipulating procurement to enrich themselves through dodgy appointments and rigged contracts.
This multi-year contract for guarding municipal infrastructure (such as reservoirs and substations) is at the heart of the probe. Evidence suggests the city paid for security services that were never rendered due to a total lack of oversight and monitoring.
Suspended CFO Gareth Mnisi was accused of conspiring with others to rig the multibillion-rand security tender, after he allegedly shared confidential draft tender documents with associates before they were made public.
Umashi Dhlamini, suspended Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) Deputy Chief, has been accused of assisting associates with tender bids in other municipalities. He recently denied these allegations during cross-examination.
TMPD director Tshikudu Malatji recently conceded that he greenlit payments for security sites without proper verification, admitting it was “probable” that invoices were paid for services not actually provided.
Suspended TMPD official, Major Lebogang Phiri, is also accused of bypassing procurement processes to assign 37-40 infrastructure sites to Gubis85 Solutions, enabling them to receive over R59 million for ad hoc services. This is after she allegedly received payments totaling at least R150,000 from individuals connected to the service provider.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, was removed from her position after she allegedly shared internal, confidential tender documents with Sergeant Fannie Nkosi to influence the outcomes of a land lease tender.