Commissioner Khumalo of the Madlanga Commission sharply questioned suspended City of Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi over his insistence that he had no role or influence in the tender adjudication process, according to testimony captured on video.
Mnisi, who has repeatedly denied any involvement in irregular procurement, faced intense scrutiny from Khumalo, who pressed him on apparent contradictions in the evidence. The commissioner presented documents suggesting Mnisi was present at key meetings where tenders were discussed.
“You keep saying you had no role, yet your signature appears on approval forms. How do you explain that?” Khumalo asked. Mnisi responded that his signature was ministerial or procedural, not indicative of decision-making authority.
The exchange grew tense as Khumalo challenged Mnisi’s memory of specific events. “Are you telling this commission that you cannot recall any conversation about tenders with Sergeant Nkosi?” Khumalo pressed. Mnisi maintained that all discussions with Nkosi were personal.
Commissioner Khumalo also questioned why Mnisi failed to disclose certain meetings in earlier testimony. Mnisi attributed the omissions to oversight, stating that the period in question was emotionally turbulent due to his divorce.
“The commission is not convinced by your explanations,” Khumalo said at one point. “We will test your claims against other witnesses and documentary evidence.”
Commissioner Khumalo questions Gareth Mnisi on his insistence that he had no role or influence in the tender adjudication process.#MadlangaCommission pic.twitter.com/E7rFnSW1Ov
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) April 17, 2026
The tense questioning suggests that commissioners view Mnisi’s testimony with skepticism. Legal observers note that contradictory statements could expose Mnisi to perjury charges if the commission finds he deliberately misled investigators.
Mnisi’s legal team requested a brief adjournment after the grueling session. The commission granted the request, with proceedings set to resume later this week. The outcome of the commission’s investigation could have significant implications for Tshwane’s municipal governance and potential criminal prosecutions.
