Madlanga Commission | Suspended TMPD deputy admits sharing tender information

Suspended Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) Deputy Police Chief, Umashi Dhlamini has admitted to sharing tender bid documents with Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.

Dhlamini made the admission while testifying before the Madlanga Commission, insisting the documents were only shared after they had been made publicly available.

Previously during Nkosi’s testimony, Whatsapp exchanges presented at the inquiry showed that Dhlamini forwarded a list of bidders for a Tshwane ad hoc security tender to Nkosi.

Dlamini says Nkosi had asked him to check whether his brother’s company, Ngapesheya Security Services, appeared on the list.

“He indicated that he wanted to verify in both instance that whether his brother has tendered the bid or not,” said Dhlamini.

When asked whether this amounted to advancing the company’s interests, Dhlamini responded: “Yes, Commissioner.”

Dhlamini also confirmed that he requested to be placed on precautionary suspension after the allegations surfaced during Nkosi’s testimony.

He says the decision was taken to avoid ongoing scrutiny in the workplace while awaiting an opportunity to respond to the claims.

“Yes! I think on the 16th of April when Sergeant Nkosi was testifying, there were Whatsapp messages that came out of the commission between myself and him and the CFO that emerged. The next day I sat with the chief to say since there are these allegations, what is the city doing ? I couldn’t get a straight answer. Then on the 20th I felt I can’t be sitting at work. Everyone will come an ask What is happening? You go to a meeting, you find yourself explaining. Then I felt it might be good for me to request to be placed on precautionary suspension perhaps until I get an opportunity to address some of these matters,” said Nkosi.

The commission has also heard that Nkosi previously enlisted Dhlamini’s assistance to help his brother’s company secure a City of Tshwane tender, despite evidence suggesting the company did not meet mandatory requirements.

Dhlamini, however, denies receiving any payments or benefits from Nkosi.

“If I have received any payment or benefit from Sergeant Nkosi whether directly or indirectly, whether I have received payment from a third party through Sergeant Nkosi, I want to put it on record that I have never received any payments nor benefit from Sergeant Nkosi whether directly or indirectly or received funds from a third party through him or anyone else,” he added.

Dhlamini further maintained that his relationship with Tshwane CFO, Gareth Mnisi, is strictly professional.

However, evidence before the commission suggests that Dhlamini and Nkosi may have attempted to influence Mnisi.

The commission heard evidence suggesting that Dlamini and Nkosi may have attempted to influence Mnisi.

In one exchange, Dhlamini indicated to Nkosi that Mnisi had been ‘captured’, and would be beneficial to them.

While Dhlamini acknowledged a close relationship with Nkosi, he rejected suggestions that this extended to Mnisi.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao