By Johnathan Paoli
Police sergeant Fannie Nkosi has implicated the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and ActionSA in allegations of political interference in a multimillion-rand City of Tshwane security tender, raising new questions about the integrity of the municipality’s governing coalition.
Appearing before the commission on Wednesday, Nkosi, led by evidence leader advocate Mathew Chaskalson, suggested that senior municipal officials and political actors may have coordinated efforts to influence the awarding of a Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) tender, with links extending to EFF leadership.
According to Nkosi, individuals allegedly linked to the EFF provided TMPD deputy chief Umashi Dhlamini with a list of seven companies said to be earmarked for the tender.
Chaskalson told the commission that Dhlamini then instructed Sergeant Fannie Nkosi to approach Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi.
“The evidence indicates that Dhlamini then asked Sergeant Fannie Nkosi to approach Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi, who was expected to engage EFF leader Julius Malema to confirm that the companies on the list ‘represent the EFF’,” Chaskalson said.
The allegations place both the EFF and ActionSA, coalition partners in Tshwane, at the centre of what appears to be an attempt to influence procurement processes from outside formal channels.
Chaskalson further alleged that Mnisi and Dhlamini were involved in prior discussions about the tender outcome, alongside Nkosi.
“It was agreed, that El Shadai Security Services and Ngaphesheya Security would be awarded the municipal police tender,” he said.
Ngaphesheya Security is reportedly owned by Nkosi’s brother, Bheki, adding another layer of potential conflict of interest to the unfolding scandal.
The testimony also implicated Nkosi in the dissemination of highly sensitive procurement information.
Evidence before the commission showed that Nkosi shared a list of hundreds of bidders, including pricing details, with a contact saved only as ‘Mampane Taxi Man’.
Nkosi said he did nor know Mampane’s name but described him as a taxi owner who was close to the late taxi boss, Jon ‘King Mswazi’ Mswabi.
Confronted with this, Nkosi defended his actions, claiming that it became a public document once captured, and maintaining that the information was no longer confidential at the time he shared it.
Nkosi admitted that Mampane had applied for the tender but claimed ignorance about the company used. He also denied having prior access to tender documents before the award process.
“I did not see the tender documents before the award,” he told the commission.
Despite these denials, the evidence has intensified scrutiny on Mnisi’s role, with political leaders now calling for urgent intervention.
While the EFF has not yet formally responded to the latest allegations, the mention of its leadership, especially Malema, in connection with the verification of preferred bidders marks a significant escalation.
Similarly, ActionSA’s position within the coalition places it under renewed scrutiny, particularly as questions mount over how deeply political actors may have been involved in operational matters within the municipality.
Chaskalson revealed a screenshot of a message between Mnisi and Nkosi regarding the list of companies which read: “I had a meeting with ActionSA and EFF yesterday. Telling me to submit five is an insult and didn’t sit well with me.”
Allegations of corruption have previously been raised against Mnisi, including claims of unexplained wealth, undeclared business interests and alleged misrepresentations in his CV.
The controversy intensified following details emerging from Mnisi’s 2024 divorce proceedings, which revealed a luxury lifestyle, including international first-class travel, multiple properties and high-value vehicles, that some political parties argue exceeds his declared income.
The ANC has called for a full investigation into what it terms his “unexplained wealth”, while regional party the Republican Conference of Tshwane has lodged a formal complaint alleging he falsified aspects of his qualifications and work history.
Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya said the council must first determine whether there is prima facie evidence of misconduct before appointing an independent investigator, while city officials maintain that key financial compliance requirements, including the submission of annual financial statements, were met on time.
Proceedings adjourned for the day, with the commission to resume on Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, police have seized 10 firearms, including two rifles, five shotguns and three handguns, from Titan Security in Boksburg as part of an ongoing investigation, after the weapons were found to be recorded only on the company’s electronic system and not in the official firearms register, prompting a compliance red flag from the designated firearms officer.
An inquiry has officially been opened and documents have been confiscated from the company’s offices while owner Etienne Van De Walt, who was implicated at the commission by Marius Van de Merwe, also known as Witness D, is being questioned.
The operation forms part of a broader probe involving multiple individuals, with recent searches and seizures also conducted at the property of a former Brakpan SAPS reservist last week and at the home of Wiandre Pretorius’ fiance, Juan-Mare Eksteen, where electronic devices were confiscated.
Inside Metros reached out to both the EFF and ActionSA, who did not reply at the time of publication.
INSIDE METROS