Tensions Rise at Madlanga Commission as Lawyers for Suspended CFO Gareth Mnisi Accuse Chairperson of Silencing Witness

Lawyers for suspended Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi claim he is being silenced at the Madlanga Commission, while the Chairperson cites time wasting and irrelevant answers.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 11:01 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EWN

A Legal Standoff Over Witness Testimony

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry witnessed a sharp exchange on Tuesday as the legal team for Gareth Mnisi, the suspended Chief Financial Officer of the City of Tshwane, accused the commission of procedural unfairness. Mnisi, who is currently in his third day of testimony, has faced consistent pressure from evidence leaders and commissioners regarding his responses. His lawyer, Annalene van den Heever, argued that the commission's attempts to "edit" or curtail her client’s answers constitute an attempt to silence a witness who is attempting to provide full context to the allegations against him.

Chairperson Sets Boundaries on Lengthy Explanations

Commission Chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga maintained a firm stance against the defense’s complaints, asserting that Mnisi has frequently provided circuitous and unnecessary details for straightforward inquiries. Madlanga emphasized that while the commission initially allowed for broad explanations, the proceedings are operating under a strict mandate and limited timeframe. He clarified that while he would allow explanations when they are mechanically necessary to understand a point of law or fact, he would not grant the witness a "free hand" to prolong the session with irrelevant commentary.

Allegations of Tender Interference and Conflict of Interest

The friction in the courtroom comes amid heavy questioning regarding Mnisi’s alleged role in local government procurement. The suspended CFO has been accused of using his executive position to cancel a tender on behalf of a notorious taxi boss, an allegation that sits at the center of the commission's current focus. Earlier sessions saw Mnisi grilled over his "narrow view" of conflict of interest and his failure to intervene in what appeared to be blatant tender fraud. These specific lines of inquiry have led to the current defensive posture from his legal team.