Suspended Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) deputy chief Umashi Dhlamini was grilled at the Madlanga commission of inquiry over his statement that City of Tshwane chief financial officer (CFO) Gareth Mnisi was “the only gateway” in dealing with service providers.
Dhlamini continues with his testimony as he defends himself against allegations that he assisted in the rigging of a tender to benefit two security services companies, Ngaphesheya and Gubis85.
During proceedings on Tuesday, Dhlamini revealed that he held a meeting with representatives linked to Gubis85, including owner Calvin Pontsho Mahlangu.
The meeting, he said, focused on outstanding invoices from the 2023/2024 financial year.
“It was the issue of outstanding invoices that was discussed,” said Dhlamini.
He explained that the invoices were not processed because they were improperly accrued before the financial year ended and required a post facto report from director Tshukudu Malatji.
“I explained that, since the invoice was from the 2023/2024 financial year, it was never accrued accordingly at the end of the financial year.
“There should be a post-facto report generated by director Malatji. I asked them to go to Malatji,” he said.
However, the commission focused on why Dhlamini later communicated with Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, indicating that the service providers should approach Mnisi.
Commissioner questions Dhlamini’s conduct
Commissioner Sesi Baloyi challenged this version, pointing out that the matter related to historical invoices and not future engagements.
“This is not about future invoices. You were talking about something historical here. In the message you wrote to the CFO through Sergeant Nkosi, you said the CFO ‘is the only gateway’,” said Baloyi.
She also questioned Dhlamini’s conduct given his senior position.
“A person of your seniority should have picked up that it was wrong for you to speak to the CFO through Sergeant Nkosi,” she said.
Dhlamini attempted to clarify his stance, saying there were two aspects to the discussion, the invoice process and the company’s attempt to establish a working relationship with him.
“There were two aspects, commissioners. I told them how the process works and that they must go to Malatji.
“The second part was the working relationship they wanted to establish with me. I said they started a working relationship with the CFO; they must go back to him. I was not comfortable with that,” he said.
He maintained that he did not want to engage directly with the company.
“I said if I get a request from the CFO, I might assist, but not for a request from them,” he said.
Effort to influence procurement outcomes
Evidence leader and advocate Matthew Chaskalson told Dhlamini that his communication with Nkosi and Mnisi may have been part of a broader effort to influence procurement outcomes.
“I want to put to you that your communications with Sergeant Nkosi and the CFO were about which companies were going to be given priority for tenders to be rigged in their favour,” said Chaskalson.
He further alleged that Gubis85 was not initially among those companies and sought inclusion.
“So Gubis was not on the list, and they wanted to be on that list,” he said.
Dhlamini rejected the claims, saying: “That’s not true.”
- Suspended Tshwane Metro Police deputy chief Umashi Dhlamini testified at the Madlanga commission over claims that Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi was "the only gateway" for dealing with service providers.
- Dhlamini defended himself against allegations of rigging tenders to benefit security companies Ngaphesheya and Gubis85, stating a meeting with Gubis85 owners focused on unpaid invoices from 2023/2024.
- He explained invoices were not processed due to improper accrual and required a report from director Tshukudu Malatji, advising the company to approach Malatji.
- Commissioner Sesi Baloyi challenged Dhlamini’s conduct, questioning why he communicated via Sergeant Nkosi that the CFO was the sole contact for historical invoice issues.
- Evidence leader accused Dhlamini of attempting to influence procurement outcomes to rig tenders in favor of certain companies, including getting Gubis85 added to the preferred list, which Dhlamini denied.
"It was the issue of outstanding invoices that was discussed," said
He explained that the invoices were not processed because they were improperly accrued before the financial year ended and required a post facto report from director
"I explained that, since the invoice was from the 2023/2024 financial year, it was never accrued accordingly at the end of the financial year.
"
However, the commission focused on why
Commissioner Sesi Baloyi challenged this version, pointing out that the matter related to historical invoices and not future engagements.
"
"A person of your seniority should have picked up that it was wrong for you to speak to the CFO through Sergeant
"
"
He maintained that he did not want to engage directly with the company.
"I said if I get a request from the CFO, I might assist, but not for a request from them," he said.
Evidence leader and advocate
"I want to put to you that your communications with Sergeant
He further alleged that Gubis85 was not initially among those companies and sought inclusion.
"So Gubis was not on the list, and they wanted to be on that list," he said.
