The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the City of Tshwane has announced plans to write a letter to the Madlanga Commission in the coming week, submitting information related to alleged corruption in the municipality’s procurement processes. This follows recent testimony and evidence presented at the commission highlighting irregularities in water tankering and security contracts.
DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink addressed the developments in a recent interview, expressing long-standing concerns about two major expenditure items: water tankering and private security companies. He noted that these issues gained prominence at the start of last year when the ANC-led coalition’s adjustments budget redirected funds from infrastructure projects to these areas.
Brink highlighted that Tshwane Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise, who holds the finance portfolio, has an undeclared interest in a security company. More recently, revelations indicate an undeclared interest in a water tankering company as well. Messages from Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, presented at the commission, suggest that other parties in the ANC-led coalition—including ActionSA and the EFF—were involved in discussions to identify beneficiaries for a security contract.
According to Brink, these politically connected expenditures have come at the expense of taxpayers, diverting money from essential infrastructure upgrades and contributing to service delivery challenges, including the ongoing water crisis in Tshwane.
He described corruption in the city as systemic, built over many years, and exacerbated by political instability that has prevented strong leadership from enforcing accountability. Brink argued that the DA’s previous actions against irregular contractors, including those in waste and water tankering, triggered a motion of no confidence against their administration, which he views as a “political trip wire” now seemingly confirmed by the commission’s revelations.
On leadership responses, Brink welcomed Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya’s suspension of ActionSA MMC Kholofelo Morodi, who was implicated at the Madlanga Commission. However, he expressed concern that evidence against Deputy Mayor Modise appears more substantial, yet Modise remains in his finance MMC position, which grants significant oversight over procurement and municipal finances. Brink urged the mayor to remove Modise from the finance portfolio in the interim to safeguard the city’s financial interests.
The DA’s forthcoming submission to the Madlanga Commission will include established links between Deputy Mayor Modise and at least two companies—one in security and one in water tankering—along with other relevant information. Brink emphasized that the commission will determine the relevance of such evidence to its scope, but noted that the Madlanga Commission has proven valuable for promoting accountability in local government.
In addition to the letter, the DA has tabled a motion in the city council calling for investigations into all matters aired at the commission, including allegations against City of Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi and his communications with Sergeant Nkosi, as well as Deputy Commissioner Umashi Dlamini and various politicians mentioned. The party has also requested an urgent debate on water tanker expenditures, which reportedly increased from R140 million to R777 million, amid claims that Deputy Mayor Modise and the ANC treasurer in Tshwane are among the beneficiaries.
Brink stressed the need for consistent action against corruption, stating that zero tolerance requires uniform enforcement across all implicated parties to protect public resources and prioritize service delivery for residents.