By Johnathan Paoli
Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) Chief Commissioner Yolande Faro has distanced her office from alleged procurement interference by suspended Gauteng Organised Crime Unit Sergeant, Fannie Nkosi.
Appearing before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday, Faro maintained that not only did Nkosi have no authority to become involved, she had no relationship with him at all.
“Sgt Fannie Nkosi had no right to interfere in any procurement related matters within the TMPD. He has no authority. He had no permission. I was not aware that he was busy interfering,” Faro said.
“I don’t know Sgt Fannie Nkosi. I never made contact with him. The first time I saw Sgt Fannie Nkosi was on the Madlanga Commission. So I want to state it categorically. He had no authority to interfere in any TMPD procurement related matters.”
Faro’s testimony came as the commission resumed public hearings following its Easter recess, picking up where it left off in investigating allegations of corruption within the tender processes of the TMPD.
Her appearance placed the spotlight squarely on the internal functioning of the TMPD and its procurement systems, amid claims that Nkosi acted as a “go-between” linking officials and external actors.
The commission previously heard how Nkosi had allegedly approached now-suspended TMPD deputy chief Umashi Dlamini to secure a tender for his brother Bheki Nkosi’s company.
The company, Ngaphesheya Security Services, was non-compliant on at least 12 independent grounds, including the absence of a valid PSIRA certificate, failure to meet required grading, and lack of firearm licences.
In her evidence, Faro repeatedly stressed that procurement processes within Tshwane are tightly regulated and fall outside the direct control of the TMPD.
She explained that while the department contributes technical specifications for bids, all evaluation, adjudication and payment functions are handled centrally through the city’s supply chain structures under the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
She said TMPD does not have its own procurement department, adding that its role is limited to operational input and verification of services rendered.
Against this backdrop, Faro rejected any suggestion that Nkosi could have legitimately influenced procurement decisions within the department.
She maintained that such interference would have been entirely unauthorised and outside the formal chain of command.
Faro distanced both herself and the TMPD’s formal structures from any dealings involving Nkosi, insisting that any interference would have occurred without her knowledge or approval.
Faro outlined a three-stage procurement process: specification, evaluation and adjudication; each governed by separate committees and oversight mechanisms designed to ensure transparency and accountability.
Despite these controls, Faro told the commission of broader systemic vulnerabilities within municipal procurement environments, warning that corruption can exploit gaps where oversight is weak or processes are circumvented.
The commission heard that Faro had taken a firm stance against internal wrongdoing since assuming office in October 2023, including acting against senior officials implicated in misconduct.
While her testimony focused on institutional processes, she made clear that any individual found to be interfering improperly would face consequences.
“I do not take kindly to corruption at all, Commissioner. I do not want to see a TMPD officer that’s a criminal in uniform. That is not what I want to stand for. We are in charge of the capital city. We are supposed to be the signing star. So we do put measures in place, and we’re coming down harsh,” she said.
Faro said that she had never been approached by any political figure or external party to influence procurement decisions or appointments within the TMPD, further distancing her leadership from allegations of interference.
Meanwhile, Nkosi appeared in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court following his arrest for possessing stolen police dockets, unlicensed ammunition, and a hand grenade.
Nkosi’s bail application has been postponed to next week Monday, following the magistrate finding that the state required additional time to evaluate evidence and prepare.
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