Quick Read
- Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi has until 11 April 2026 to argue against his precautionary suspension.
- Evidence presented to the Madlanga Commission links Mnisi to a network allegedly rigging city tenders.
- Mnisi is scheduled to testify before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on 17 April 2026.
PRETORIA (Azat TV) – The City of Tshwane’s Chief Financial Officer, Gareth Mnisi, has been granted a final seven-day extension to submit written reasons why he should not be placed on precautionary suspension. This development comes as the municipality intensifies its efforts to address internal corruption allegations brought to light by the ongoing Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Tender rigging allegations at the heart of the standoff
The move to suspend Mnisi follows damning evidence presented to the Madlanga Commission by Sergeant Fannie Nkosi. Subpoenaed WhatsApp communications between Nkosi and Mnisi suggest a coordinated network aimed at manipulating municipal tender processes. According to documents reviewed by the City of Tshwane, Mnisi, while serving as chairperson of the Bid Adjudication Committee, allegedly transmitted information regarding preferred bidders to external parties, effectively compromising the integrity of multi-million rand security contracts.
Legal tug-of-war over suspension procedures
Mnisi’s legal representatives initially challenged the city’s notice of suspension, arguing that the municipality failed to provide sufficient detail regarding the alleged misconduct. In a letter to City Manager Johan Mettler, attorneys representing the CFO claimed the notice was procedurally flawed and demanded its withdrawal. However, Mettler, supported by a formal legal opinion from the city’s head of legal, Advocate Nadine Erasmus, rejected these claims. Mettler maintained that the evidence of tender rigging constitutes a severe risk to the municipality’s stability and investor confidence, necessitating Mnisi’s immediate removal from his operational duties.
Upcoming testimony at the Madlanga Commission
Beyond the administrative battle in Tshwane, Mnisi is now scheduled to face the Madlanga Commission directly on 17 April 2026. The commission, which has been investigating criminality and political interference within the criminal justice system, confirmed that an agreement was reached between the inquiry’s evidence leaders and Mnisi’s legal team to finalize his testimony date. As the city waits for the 11 April 2026 deadline for his written submissions, the broader inquiry continues to hear testimony regarding how external actors have successfully infiltrated city procurement processes.
The procedural struggle between Mnisi and the Tshwane administration highlights the wider challenge of institutional accountability in South African municipalities, where the intersection of legal technicalities and evidence-based corruption inquiries often delays the swift removal of officials implicated in systemic tender manipulation.