By Johnathan Paoli
Suspended City of Tshwane chief financial officer (CFO) Gareth Mnisi has conceded at the Madlanga Commission that his relationship with suspended sergeant Fannie Nkosi may have created a “perception” of conflict of interest, while insisting he remained objective in the Tshwane security tender process.
Led by evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson, Mnisi was questioned on Tuesday about his close friendship with Nkosi and whether it should have been disclosed while he was serving on the bid adjudication committee (BAC).
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“In hindsight I need to agree that now when we’re discussing these matters there is a perception of conflict that it’s clear and it’s apparent, and I can’t avoid it. However, what I’m certain of is that when I signed this declaration form, from my perspective, my objectivity was not impaired whatsoever. It remains not impaired at this point in time,” he said.
Mnisi confirmed that he had signed the declaration form while chairing the BAC and had not disclosed any conflict, arguing that the committee’s panel-based structure acted as a safeguard against undue influence.
His testimony has focused heavily on his relationship with Nkosi, whom he described in earlier evidence as a “brother for life”. Mnisi also confirmed that after his official security was withdrawn in December 2024, Nkosi arranged a driver for him, although he denied receiving security from Nkosi and said he paid the individuals directly.
The commission has heard that, of the seven companies Nkosi sent to Mnisi in relation to the City of Tshwane’s R2.9 billion security tender, two were later awarded the tender. One of them, Ngaphesheya, is owned by Nkosi’s brother, Bheki.
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Chaskalson put it to Mnisi that, regardless of his own view of his impartiality, his continued participation in the BAC exposed the process to a perception of bias and possible conflict of interest.
But Mnisi rejected that, saying he had no financial or other interest in Ngaphesheya and denying any direct connection to Bheki Nkosi.
“I do not agree with you. I was objective in terms of handling this matter. I have no interest in Ngaphesheya whatsoever. I’m only saying that in hindsight, there is a perception of conflict which must further be assessed on its own merit,” Mnisi said.
The commission has also heard evidence about Mnisi’s contact with Nkosi during the tender process, including earlier testimony that he gave pointers to Nkosi on a separate tender involving his brother at another organ of state. Commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga on Monday accused Mnisi of taking a narrow view of what constituted a conflict of interest.
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Mnisi further confirmed that he shared a termination letter relating to Gubis85 Solutions, a competitor of Ngaphesheya, with Nkosi, but denied giving him financial or operational details.
He also said he later became aware that Nkosi had obtained Gubis’s bid information.
Mnisi is expected to return to the commission at a later date for re-examination.
