Madlanga Commission | Nkosi admits brother secured TMPD tender, implicates Malema

Sergeant Fannie Nkosi has admitted at the Madlanga Commission that his brother’s company was among the successful bidders for a tender at the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) during the metro’s 2024/2025 financial year.

The commission heard that WhatsApp exchanges between Nkosi and City of Tshwane CFO, Gareth Mnisi, revealed discussions around individuals linked to the tender process.

In the messages, Mnisi asks Nkosi to identify Sipho Nkomo and Joe Mabunda, both members of the TMPD bid evaluation committee, after which Nkosi shared their images. The commission also heard that the two were subsequently removed from the committee.

Further chats show TMPD deputy head, General Dlamini, informing Nkosi that two companies, Ngapesheya Constructions and Projects and El Shaddai Security Services had been identified for the tender.

Two days later, Dlamini sent Nkosi a list of seven additional companies, allegedly linked to the EFF, as potential bidders.

Nkosi is said to have forwarded these messages to Mnisi and, when questioned about his role, claimed the companies were believed to be owned by EFF leader Julius Malema.

“I will start with that one of seven companies. At that time, according to the general, he was approached, I don’t know by who, but some individuals who know that he is working at Tshwane or he once worked with them before, but I think he was actually working on security issues. Then they gave him these seven companies,” Nkosi said.

“Then they further said to him these companies belong to CIC Juju and further elaborated that the companies were also given to the CFO. So he sent me the companies to send to CFO to verify as in he knows about these companies and are these companies legit or is it true like they were saying that they were sent by Juju.”

Alleged payments and intervention

The commission further uncovered WhatsApp messages between Nkosi and Mnisi suggesting the pair may have been expecting payment from TMPD, with the assistance of Dlamini.

The inquiry probed Nkosi on exchanges in which Mnisi asked whether “the general is winning,” and Nkosi responded that he was “on to the general,” followed by a sticker depicting crossed fingers.

It also emerged that Nkosi sent a screenshot of his conversations with Mnisi to Dlamini to emphasise the urgency of the matter.

Additional messages show Dlamini responding that he was still “processing the issue” with individuals identified as Cain Mpofu and Vusi, adding that he would also ask someone named Tomi to ensure “urgent payment.”

Nkosi claimed he could not recall the context of these exchanges.

“I think carry on with your questions. When I answer I will be in a position to answer in one package,” Nkosi said.

Advocate Matthew Chaskalson pressed Nkosi on the meaning of the messages, questioning what was being “processed”, what “target value” referred to, and what exactly was meant to be “released.”

Nkosi later claimed that Mnisi had been assisting a woman who had complained about not being paid for services rendered to the City of Tshwane and had threatened legal action.

Questions over meetings and luxury vehicle

The commission also revealed WhatsApp exchanges in which Nkosi shared images of a luxury bakkie valued at around R2.3 million with Mnisi in April last year.

The exchanges were preceeded by others, in which Nkosi informed Mnisi that he would be meeting someone identified as “JS” in December 2024.

When questioned, Nkosi denied that “JS” referred to taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni, an alleged rival of the late Jonathan “Mswazi” Msibi, instead claiming it referred to suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.

However, evidence presented to the commission showed that Nkosi forwarded Mnisi a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation with Sibanyoni, along with a pin location of his Centurion residence, suggesting a planned meeting.

Months later, Nkosi is seen exchanging images of a red bakkie worth more than R2 million with Mnisi.

Nkosi denied attempting to solicit any financial favours.

Close relationship and influence concerns

The commission also heard evidence suggesting Nkosi and Dlamini may have sought to influence Mnisi.

Messages show Nkosi sharing sensitive police information with the CFO, including details relating to the arrest of controversial blogger Musa Khawula and socialising together as early as 2024.

In one exchange, Dlamini told Nkosi: “You have finally captured Mnisi,” adding that “Mfethu will do great things for us compared to uBaba wakho ongasekho.”

Nkosi denied any wrongdoing and disputed interpretations of several messages, including references he said did not relate to the late taxi boss Msibi.

Despite his denials, the commission noted Nkosi’s responses to Dlamini, including the use of “Amandla” and fist-bump emojis, which Nkosi said were merely acknowledgements.

He will continue with his testimony on Friday.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao