Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi Denies Corruption Allegations Amid R2.9 Billion Tender Probe Testimony

Suspended CFO Gareth Mnisi tells Madlanga Commission that a gift to Sergeant Nkosi was personal, denying any link to Tshwane's R2.9bn security tender scandal.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 3:20 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Independent Newspapers

The Denial of Forensic Gratification

Suspended Chief Financial Officer Gareth Mnisi appeared before the Madlanga Commission on Friday to address allegations of corruption involving the City of Tshwane. During his testimony, Mnisi acknowledged the purchase of a gift for Sergeant Fannie Nkosi but vehemently denied that the item served as a bribe. According to Mnisi, there was no arrangement or expectation of preferential treatment, characterizing the transaction as entirely separate from official municipal business or the R2.9 billion security services tender currently under investigation.

A Relationship Built on Personal Hardship

Seeking to contextualize his association with Nkosi, Mnisi described their connection as a deeply personal and brotherly bond. He informed the commission that the relationship was forged during the period of his divorce, portraying the gift as a gesture of friendship rather than an illegal inducement. According to Mnisi, the narrative of a gift for tenders is a mischaracterization of a private interaction that held no link to his professional responsibilities or the procurement processes of the City of Tshwane.

The Complexity of the Security Service Tender

The Madlanga Commission is currently investigating a massive security services contract that saw 22 companies secure work, with billions in South African rands already disbursed. Investigators have focused their attention on three specific firms suspected of being part of a manipulated bidding process. Mnisi found himself drawn into the spotlight after his name appeared in digital communications between Nkosi and the suspended deputy chief of the Tshwane Metro Police Department, Umashi Dhlamini, suggesting a potential role in the selection of providers.