Malatji denies authorising post-cancellation security deployments, says Phiri acted alone

By Johnathan Paoli

Suspended Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) Director for Asset Protection Security Services Tshukudu Malatji has denied any wrongdoing in the continued deployment of ad hoc security services, insisting he never authorised or instructed such deployments despite evidence suggesting otherwise.

Resuming his testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Thursday, Malatji rejected claims that he had instructed road policing officer Major Lebogang Phiri to deploy private security firm Gubis85 Solutions among others, in a controversial security tender aimed at protecting municipal infrastructure.

“I do not remember instructing Phiri to deploy any ad hoc service, either in January 2025 or before. If it happened that he had signed contracts, he did it on his own and not with my instruction,” Malatji said.

Phiri had previously told the commission he was charged with coordinating and commanding security services for municipal infrastructure sites, sharing evidence on how he was delegated