DA Turns Up the Heat on Mayor Moya Over Deputy’s Alleged Conflict of Interest

DA Puts Pressure on Mayor to Take Action

Tshwane’s political landscape is once again in turmoil as the Democratic Alliance (DA) demands that Mayor Nasiphi Moya take decisive action against her deputy, Eugene “Bonzo” Modise. The pressure follows claims that an internal city report found Modise failed to disclose a financial interest in a company doing business with the municipality.

The DA insists Moya must either fire her deputy or prepare to face a motion of no confidence herself. The alleged misconduct, if proven, could signal yet another blow to the city’s already strained reputation for governance and accountability.

A Conflict Hidden in Plain Sight

DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink says the party has been raising questions about Modise’s links to a security company, Triotic, since February. “It’s unlawful under the Municipal Finance Management Act for a councillor to have a financial interest in a service provider to the municipality,” Brink explained.

The controversy deepened after the Sunday Times reported that an internal investigation suggested Modise might not have properly disclosed or divested from Triotic, which provides “watchman” services to the City of Tshwane.

A special council meeting, where the report was expected to surface, was abruptly cancelled the night before. That move, Brink says, raises even more suspicion.

Millions in Irregular Expenditure

According to the DA, Tshwane has already declared R170 million in irregular expenditure related to extended municipal security contracts, including those with Triotic. The Auditor-General has reportedly been notified of these irregularities.

Adding to the tension, the DA claims Modise is also linked to another company, Mzansi Resortspreviously the Morula Sunwhich owes the city R23 million in arrears for property rates and water. Despite the debt, services to the resort have allegedly not been cut off.

Brink says this selective enforcement raises “serious questions” about how the city manages its financial relationships with politically connected businesses.

Opposition Parties Pounce

While the DA is leading the charge, other opposition councillors are not letting the party off the hook. Republican Conference of Tshwane councillor Lex Middelberg accused the DA of hypocrisy, claiming it has known about Modise’s potential conflicts since 2022 but failed to act sooner.

“Why only now? The deputy mayor’s convenient disinvestment from companies he previously owned looks more like damage control than integrity,” Middelberg argued.

He added that the DA’s renewed outrage “rings hollow” given their earlier inaction, suggesting that internal political manoeuvring may be influencing how the case is being handled.

A City in Political Crossfire

For residents of Tshwane, this saga feels like another chapter in a long history of political infighting that overshadows service delivery. Since taking office, Mayor Moya has tried to position herself as a reformer focused on cleaning up municipal operations. However, her silence on Modise’s case has raised questions about whether she is willing or able to hold those close to her accountable.

On social media, Tshwane residents have expressed frustration. “We’re tired of hearing about corruption investigations that go nowhere,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter). “People are struggling with service delivery, yet leaders are busy protecting their friends.”

What Happens Next

If the DA follows through on its threat, Mayor Moya could soon face a motion of no confidence, potentially triggering another leadership reshuffle in a city that has already seen several in recent years.

For now, Moya’s office remains silent, and Modise continues to serve as the MMC for finance. But the growing chorus of voices demanding transparency suggests that silence may not be an option for much longer.

Whether this case results in real accountability or becomes just another headline in Tshwane’s long-running political drama, will depend on what the mayor does next.

The DA is demanding that Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya take action against her deputy, Eugene Modise, amid allegations of undisclosed financial interests in a city contractor. The case has reignited debates over political accountability in Tshwane and could lead to a motion of no confidence against the mayor herself.

{Source: The Citizen}

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