The Madlanga Commission on April 24 grilled suspended Tshwane Metro Police Deputy Chief Umashi Dlamini over WhatsApp messages he exchanged with Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, allegedly to sway suspended CFO Gareth Mnisi on a list of seven EFF-linked companies for the land invasion tender. This follows earlier testimony from Mnisi, who denied improper ties with Nkosi. Commissioners accused Dlamini of unlawful interference in the tender process.
During proceedings on April 24, the commission reviewed messages indicating Dlamini used Nkosi as an intermediary to contact Mnisi about matching a list of seven companies—linked to 'red berets' and 'CIC Juju' (EFF leader Julius Malema)—against one from the CFO. Dlamini referred to Mnisi as 'mfowethu' (brother) and testified he was approached by self-proclaimed EFF members Muzi and Sipho.
Commissioner Sesi Baloyi pointed out messages directing a list comparison. Nkosi messaged: 'General please intervene, we can’t lose this now, we’ve been waiting for a while.' Non-employee Nico Mathabela sent the list to bid committee chair Victor Kgopa; Dlamini forwarded it via Nkosi to Mnisi.
Commissioner Sandile Khumalo stated: 'That action on its own is you interfering in an ongoing tender process... unlawfully.' Dlamini denied knowledge of Mathabela's intent to influence and mentioned helping Nkosi’s brother with another tender. He returns to testify on Tuesday.
This builds on prior sessions, including Mnisi's April 17 denial of favoritism toward Nkosi's brother's firm in related tenders worth billions.
