By Johnathan Paoli
City of Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya has removed Kholofelo Morodi from her role as MMC for Corporate and Shared Services following testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, citing concerns about governance, conduct and institutional integrity.
In a statement on Friday, Moya said the decision followed a formal process in which Morodi was given an opportunity to respond to allegations raised at the commission.
“I have carefully considered her response together with the information available to me, including relevant communication records submitted to the Commission. Based on this assessment, I am not satisfied that the concerns raised have been adequately addressed,” she said.
Moya said the material before her pointed to “a pattern of engagement and conduct over an extended period”, including “an inappropriate relationship” between Morodi and SAPS Organised Crime Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, which raised concerns about how information was handled.
“In particular, this includes the use of informal channels to engage on matters that fall outside formal governance and administrative processes, in a manner that is not consistent with the principles of transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity,” she said.
Invoking her powers under the Municipal Structures Act, Moya said that the move was not a finding of guilt but a step to protect the institution.
“This decision does not constitute a finding of wrongdoing, nor does it imply any presumption of guilt. It is a measure taken to safeguard the integrity of the institution and to ensure that all processes, including those arising from the Commission, proceed in a manner that is fair, lawful, and free from interference,” she said.
Moya confirmed that MMC Hannes Coetzee would continue to act in the portfolio until a replacement is appointed.
ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont welcomed the decision, describing it as evidence of decisive leadership and a commitment to tackling wrongdoing.
“ActionSA welcomes the action taken by our Tshwane Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, to remove Kholofelo Morodi as a Member of the Mayoral Committee with immediate effect, following the revelations arising from the Madlanga Commission last week,” Beaumont said.
He noted that Morodi had initially been suspended within hours of the allegations emerging, with the party’s Gauteng structures moving swiftly to initiate disciplinary processes.
“This kind of action, from both our Mayor in the City of Tshwane and our party structures within a single week, demonstrates that ActionSA is committed to fighting corruption and wrongdoing through its actions, and not merely its words,” he said.
Beaumont also issued an apology to residents.
“ActionSA apologises unreservedly to the residents of Tshwane for what, in hindsight, was an error of judgement, even though there was no way of knowing Morodi’s intentions at the time,” he said.
He argued that the party’s response set a benchmark for accountability, adding that governance reforms were already being implemented through the city’s draft budget.
However, DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink said the removal raised further questions about consistency in the city’s leadership.
“The DA notes the removal of ActionSA MMC Morodi, from the Tshwane executive following her alleged involvement in tender corruption. One burning question remains: what about the tainted, and equally involved Finance MMC and deputy mayor, Eugene ‘Bonzo’ Modise?” Brink said.
He accused Moya of selective action, suggesting that her administration had failed to act against other implicated figures.
“It is very telling that Mayor Moya does not act on her deputy, because in fact, she is the deputy. A Mayor in name only,” he said.
Brink alleged that Modise had been implicated in benefiting from security tenders and large-scale water tanker spending, and said the DA had already pursued action.
“The problem is that the Mayor does not really believe in clean governance, nor does she believe that the ‘highest standards of ethical leadership and accountability’ needs to be upheld,” he said.
Morodi had earlier been temporarily relieved of her duties after allegations surfaced during proceedings at the Madlanga Commission.
Evidence before the inquiry suggested that SAPS Organised Crime Sergeant Fannie Nkosi received job applications and tender documents from Morodi, as well as from Tshwane Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Umashi Dlamini, raising concerns about possible interference in recruitment and procurement processes.
Moya said Morodi’s explanations did not adequately address these concerns, prompting her removal in what she framed as a precautionary step to preserve institutional credibility while investigations continue.
The Madlanga commission highlighted WhatsApp exchanges between Kholofelo Morodi and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, including a December 2, 2024 message where Nkosi invited Morodi to speak at an orphanage in Theresa Park and she later thanked him for making her birthday special.
Their communication also included Morodi sending Nkosi a document related to a land lease tender after prior discussions about the land.
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