Fake ‘Matthew Phosa municipality’ exposed in Tshwane tender scandal | Madlanga Commission

A non-existent municipality is in the spotlight as City of Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi is set to explain to the Madlanga Commission how he allegedly tried to secure a security tender through the “Matthew Phosa municipality” in Mpumalanga.

The municipality in Mpumalanga does not exist in law or administration.

Yet, evidence before the commission suggested it was used as a front in a plan involving Mnisi and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi to push through a lucrative tender.

Mnisi is expected to appear at the Brigette Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria at 9:30am, where the commission will examine how the alleged scheme was conceived and whether it advanced beyond discussion.

The senior official was placed on precautionary suspension on Wednesday as investigations into alleged tender rigging intensify.

His suspension follows mounting evidence, including WhatsApp messages between Mnisi and Nkosi discussing active tenders within the Tshwane Municipality and sharing lists of bidders.

The messages, already presented to the commission, have raised concerns about possible interference in procurement processes and access to sensitive bidding information.

Pressure on Mnisi escalated on March 26 when the Tshwane council convened a special sitting and resolved to issue a notice of precautionary suspension.

The notice was served two days later, giving him seven days to provide reasons why he should not be suspended, in line with disciplinary regulations for senior managers.

Instead of responding to the substance of the allegations, Mnisi’s legal team challenged the process.

In a letter dated April 1 to city manager Johan Mettler, his lawyers raised procedural objections and demanded that the notice be withdrawn.

Mettler rejected the request and granted an additional seven days for submissions. The city ultimately proceeded with the suspension.

Beyond the tender allegations, Mnisi is under growing scrutiny over a lifestyle that appears to far exceed his reported monthly salary of about R124,000.

Evidence from court papers in his 2024 divorce and testimony before the commission points to extensive wealth.

He is reportedly linked to a fleet of high-end vehicles, including a Porsche 911 Turbo and 2023 Porsche Targa, two Range Rovers, a Maserati Levante, multiple BMWs, a Mercedes-Benz CLA 45, a Volkswagen Golf 8R and a Toyota Hilux.

Investigators are also examining a property portfolio of at least 10 properties valued at around R36 million, as well as frequent first-class international travel described by his estranged wife.

Much of the wealth is allegedly held in family and business trusts registered between 2016 and 2021, with no clear explanation provided for the source of funds.

Mnisi’s testimony is expected to address both the alleged tender manipulation and the origins of his assets.

The commission is likely to probe whether the fake municipality was part of a wider pattern of misconduct or a standalone attempt to bypass procurement controls.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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