By Johnathan Paoli
Suspended chief financial officer of the City of Tshwane Gareth Mnisi has rejected claims that he wielded influence over the awarding of municipal tenders, insisting instead that his role as chairperson of the Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC) was limited to oversight and procedural validation.
Appearing before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Friday, Mnisi maintained his innocence following allegations from previous testimony that he colluded with suspended SAPS Gauteng Organised Crime Sergeant Fannie Nkosi to steer contracts toward preferred bidders.
“I do not influence, but I play oversight, in order to ensure that all procedures are followed at all levels through the BAC,” Mnisi said.
Leading Mnisi’s evidence, chief evidence leader advocate Mathew Chaskalson pressed him on a series of WhatsApp exchanges already before the commission, in which Nkosi forwarded lists of companies bidding for a lucrative City of Tshwane security tender, two of which were ultimately successful.
Mnisi acknowledged receiving the names but denied any intervention.
“I do, however, wish to place on record that Sergeant Nkosi persistently forwarded me names of two prospective bidders who were subsequently awarded He was of the mistaken belief I would be able to check compliance, which, of course, I couldn’t,” Mnisi said.
He confirmed that Nkosi was a close personal friend but denied any business dealings.
“We bonded over biking and sports shooting, he became a trusted confidant I now regard as a brother,” Mnisi testified.
He said that he had never received any payment or benefit from Nkosi or any related third parties.
Central to the commission’s questioning was whether Mnisi’s dual role as CFO and BAC chairperson gave him de facto influence over procurement outcomes.
Commissioner Sandile Khumalo challenged his assertion that he could not influence the process, noting that decisions ultimately passed through the BAC.
Mnisi maintained that the committee structure prevented unilateral control.
“There are seven managers in BAC appointed by the City Manager. It is not a process of influencing but validating… My role is to make sure and validate,” he said.
He added that tender documents were “locked”, maintaining that he could not access them outside formal procedures.
Mnisi outlined the relationship between the Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) and BAC, explaining that discrepancies identified by the BAC could result in matters being referred back.
“If the BAC spots discrepancies, they can refer back to BEC, for example, if a property report is missing,” he said.
He said that such mechanisms were built into the city’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) policies.
He further insisted that tender extensions were conducted strictly in line with SCM rules and subject to final approval by the city manager.
The commission also interrogated Mnisi’s interactions with specific bidders.
He denied any personal or financial interest in companies linked to the long-running security tender first issued in 2016, which has been marred by irregularities and legal disputes.
“I have never had any financial relationship with Gubis85 Solutions, whether directly or indirectly. I have no relationship with bidders, shareholders or directors involved in the process,” he said.
On the issue of Nkosi’s brother’s company, Ngaphesheya Protection Services, Mnisi acknowledged requesting a vendor number but framed it as part of routine administrative support during the municipality’s transition to the SAP Ariba digital procurement system.
He told the commission that many suppliers struggled with the migration, prompting widespread assistance efforts.
Despite Mnisi’s insistence that his role was procedural, commissioners repeatedly returned to the question of influence, particularly given his authority to endorse recommendations to the city manager.
Mnisi responded that endorsement followed satisfaction that due process had been adhered to.
“When I am happy a process has been followed, I endorse it to the City Manager,” he said.
His testimony comes amid intensifying scrutiny following his precautionary suspension by the City of Tshwane, triggered by mounting evidence including WhatsApp messages suggesting possible interference in procurement processes.
Evidence presented includes WhatsApp communications suggesting that Mnisi allegedly shared confidential municipal tender information with Nkosi.
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