Tshwane Metro Police Boss Pushes Back On Tender Leak Claims At Madlanga Commission

The high-stakes hearings at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry took another tense turn this week, as a senior Tshwane Metro Police official found himself under scrutiny over a controversial R2.9 billion security tender.

Suspended deputy chief Umashi Dhlamini stepped forward to defend his actions, rejecting claims that he improperly shared sensitive documents tied to the tender process. His testimony has added yet another layer to a case already raising serious questions about how major municipal contracts are handled in South Africa.

The Document At The Centre Of The Storm

At the heart of the matter is a Bid Evaluation Committee draft document linked to a massive security tender meant to protect key infrastructure in Tshwane. The document included details such as bidder names and pricing, information that would typically be tightly controlled during procurement processes.

Dhlamini admitted that he shared the document with Sergeant Fannie Nkosi from the Gauteng Organised Crime Unit. However, he insists there was nothing irregular about it.

According to Dhlamini, the information was already available on the City of Tshwane’s website. He told the commission that his office initially tried to access it online, but when the site was down, they requested the information through internal channels.

In his view, the document was not confidential and did not amount to a formal BEC report. Instead, he described it as a routine report that would eventually be made public.

Contradictions Emerge During Testimony

The commission’s evidence leader challenged that version of events, arguing that what was shared was not a publicly accessible bid register but rather a draft report still being prepared for internal use.

This distinction is crucial. If the document was indeed a draft, it would not have been intended for public distribution, raising concerns about how it ended up outside official channels.

Dhlamini, however, remained firm under questioning. He maintained that even if Nkosi had requested the document directly from supply chain officials, it should have been provided because it was already in the public domain.

Allegations Of Tender Interference

The situation becomes more complex when looking at what happened next. After receiving the document, Nkosi allegedly passed it on to another individual, identified during proceedings as a taxi industry figure.

Messages presented to the commission suggest that there was an attempt to influence the outcome of the tender, with instructions to ensure that the process did not go ahead.

The tender was later cancelled, a decision that has become a focal point in the inquiry.

Adding to the controversy are earlier claims by Tshwane’s chief financial officer, Gareth Mnisi, who accused Dhlamini and Nkosi of being part of a broader effort to manipulate the tender process in favour of a specific bidder. Both men have denied wrongdoing.

Questions Around Communication Channels

Beyond the document itself, the commission has also turned its attention to how communication was handled between city officials.

Dhlamini acknowledged that Nkosi acted as an intermediary between himself and Mnisi during discussions about unpaid invoices linked to service providers. He said he intervened because companies were threatening legal action over outstanding payments.

But this arrangement raised eyebrows. Commissioners questioned why a police officer was involved in financial discussions that should have remained strictly within municipal structures.

Dhlamini conceded that the setup was not ideal. While he stopped short of calling it improper, he admitted it was “incorrect” for Nkosi to be inserted into the process.

A Wider Reflection On Municipal Accountability

The unfolding testimony highlights deeper concerns about governance and oversight within local government. Large tenders, especially those tied to essential services like security, are expected to follow strict protocols to prevent undue influence.

Yet the events described at the commission suggest a system where lines between departments may have blurred, opening the door to confusion and potential abuse.

For residents, particularly in major metros like Tshwane, these hearings are about more than just one tender. They speak to broader anxieties around transparency, accountability and how public funds are managed at city level.

As the Madlanga Commission continues its work, the spotlight remains firmly on whether this was a case of administrative missteps or something far more serious.