Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya denies being "scared" to act against Deputy Mayor Eugene "Bonzo" Modise due to concern about destabilising the coalition.
Image: Oupa Mokoena/Independent Newspapers
Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya says she is not "scared" to act against Deputy Mayor Eugene "Bonzo" Modise over his alleged financial benefit from a company doing business with the municipality because she fears collapsing the multiparty coalition.
This was her defence against criticism that she is hesitant to act against Modise, an ANC appointee linked to Triotic Protection Services, which has an existing municipal contract.
Moya was addressing the media on Thursday at Tshwane House regarding the latest issues emerging from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and service delivery matters.
Triotic company is among the security companies flagged during the recent testimony of Gauteng Organised Crime Unit officer Sergeant Fannie Nkosi at the commission.
Modise reiterated that he resigned from Triotic in 2023 after becoming a councillor. However, the company is reportedly owned by his mother, Nelly Modise, and directed by Neo Mafodi, who is allegedly the mother of his child.
Cilliers Brink, DA Tshwane caucus leader, recently stated Modise is already benefiting from an existing security tender awarded to Triotic.
Brink's comment followed Nkosi's testimony implicating some members of ActionSA and EFF in the alleged manipulation of a security tender at the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD).
Nkosi's testimony suggested some ActionSA members were involved in discussions about a security tender at the TMPD. He also alleged that Umashi Dhlamini, the suspended TMPD Deputy Chief for support and Administration Services, compiled a list of seven preferred companies, reportedly received from the EFF.
WhatsApp exchanges between Nkosi and Tshwane chief financial officer Gareth Mnisi suggested the existence of a list of companies. EFF leader Julius Malema, referred to as CIC Juju in the chats, was allegedly expected to confirm the companies' involvement.
Last week, Moya placed ActionSA MMC for Corporate and Shared Services Kholofelo Morodi on a special leave after it emerged that she shared tender information with Nkosi.
Asked if she was scared to act against Modise given that a company linked to him was flagged at the commission, Moya said: "We are not in this coalition to serve our personal interest. We are not in this coalition to enrich ourselves. And therefore there is no position of coalition that I represent that (says)some of us are untouchable because we are scared the coalition will collapse."
She said the council had already dealt with Modise's issue by instituting a forensic probe.
"If any of us are found to be in the wrong and that means the coalition will end then the coalition will end if acting on such will lead to the collapse of the coalition. We do have the responsibility to the people of Tshwane that we want to restore this institution. Restoring the institution - you can't do it by doing wrong things. There is no fear that we can't act on one of us because the coalition will collapse," Moya said.
She said the city is currently considering Morodi's representation from Wednesday night to determine if she must answer any charges before taking further steps.
Regarding Mnisi, she said: "A disciplinary report is being tabled before today's council meeting to initiate a process for his precautionary suspension. Given the central role of his office the matter is handled in a manner that safeguards the city's financial system and maintains public confidence."
She revealed that a formal complaint regarding an alleged R1.5 million refund fraud in the finance department has already resulted in 27 active suspensions. She added that several of the cases are long-running disciplinary cases that also involve criminal aspects now before the Specialised Commercial Crime Court.
Modise said the DA's public criticism of his relationship with Triotic is linked to the "political gimmick" related to the run-up to the 2026 local government elections.
He said the DA previously approached Moya, asking her to institute a forensic investigation into his alleged financial benefit from Triotic.
He said the investigation was done, he cooperated and "the outcomes are crystal-clear. There were no irregularities. There was no corruption and none of the findings are saying I did any wrong".
EFF deployee and MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management Obakeng Ramabodu, disputed allegations that the EFF handed over a list of preferred tender bidders for a security tender in TMPD to Dhlamini.
He questioned Nkosi's testimony, saying: "If you got it (a list) from Obakeng, show us (the proof). If you got it from the President of the EFF, show us. According to us there's no leader of the EFF who has sent a list to anyone and we are challenging anyone who has evidence about a leader of the EFF sending the list to bring it on the table," he said.
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za