ALSO READ: WATCH: Ramaphosa, Chapo strengthen SA Mozambique ties amid regional challenges

Magwenya said Ramaphosa visited Zimbabwe at the invitation of his counterpart, providing both leaders an opportunity to engage on a wide range of mutual and bilateral issues.

The visit, however, was overshadowed by reports that one of the businesspeople present at Mnangagwa’s private farm is a person of interest to South African law enforcement authorities.

“The Presidency has noted with concern the reports that have surfaced following the President’s visit to Zimbabwe, identifying an individual who is a person of interest to our law enforcement, who was also present during the visit.

“President Ramaphosa had no prior knowledge of who would be present during the visit, nor was he familiar with the said individual. The President flew to Zimbabwe for a meeting with his counterpart and nothing else,” said Magwenya.

He added that the president had encouraged law enforcement agencies to continue pursuing all matters under investigation without fear or favour.

Magwenya also briefed journalists on the National Water Crisis Committee, chaired by the president, which incorporates the existing Inter-Ministerial Committee on Water established earlier this year.

The committee’s key task is to oversee the implementation of the National Water Action Plan (NWAP), which outlines urgent measures to address water supply disruptions in several parts of the country and accelerate institutional reforms across all levels of government.

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Magwenya said the plan has already been presented to provincial and local government structures, including engagements led by the president with mayors.

“Further engagements will be held with business, labour and civil society to ensure a collaborative approach across all spheres of government and with social partners.

“A process is underway to establish an advisory group of water experts from universities and other institutions to provide input on the plan and its implementation,” he said.

On the president’s programme, Magwenya said Ramaphosa will on Thursday tour South32’s Hillside Aluminium smelter in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, marking 30 years of the company’s operations.

He said the facility forms part of the post-apartheid government’s broader vision to expand industrial capacity, create jobs, boost international trade and support downstream beneficiation.

Ramaphosa is also scheduled to officially open Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban on May 12, before returning to Parliament later that week to respond to oral questions in the National Assembly.

On May 20, the president will undertake a working visit to Botswana aimed at strengthening bilateral ties in sectors including agriculture, health, education, transport and mining.

He will be accompanied by ministers and senior government officials.

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By Marcus Moloko

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s public programme, as outlined by Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya on Wednesday, highlights a multi-pronged agenda that balances urgent national security interventions with long-term economic and social renewal.

At the heart of the President’s immediate priorities is Operation Prosper, a coordinated deployment of 2,200 SANDF members alongside SAPS to combat illegal mining, gang violence, and organised crime across Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, and North West.

The operation, extended until March 2027, is designed to stabilise communities and disrupt syndicates threatening South Africa’s economic and social fabric.

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Ramaphosa’s schedule also highlights direct engagements with business leaders, organised labour, and communities to accelerate economic recovery.

These meetings are tied to initiatives such as the Resource Mobilisation Fund and the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP), which aim to resolve the energy crisis, attract investment, and create jobs.

On the social front, Magwenya said the President will continue outreach through District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizos, where he interacts directly with citizens and municipalities to address service delivery challenges.

Ramaphosa’s parliamentary accountability is also in focus, with upcoming oral reply sessions and appearances confirming alignment between the executive and legislative agendas.

These sessions are expected to tackle pressing issues such as crime, unemployment, and the energy transition.

Internationally, Ramaphosa’s programme will look at regional and global cooperation. His recent meeting with Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo at Mahlamba Ndlopfu reaffirmed bilateral ties rooted in shared history and mutual economic interests, according to Magwenya.

ALSO READ: Mashatile: Heritage is an economic sector, key to growth and jobs

Looking ahead, Ramaphosa is expected to participate in African Union and ASEAN summits, advancing South Africa’s trade interests and regional peace efforts. These engagements are part of a broader diplomatic push to position South Africa as a strategic hub in continental and global affairs.

Magwenya emphasised that the Presidency’s regular briefings are designed to foster transparency and accountability as they provide updates on executive priorities, progress on interventions, and opportunities for the media to interrogate government plans.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has proclaimed the 2026 municipal elections, clearing the way for the official gazetting of the poll date and setting the stage for voters to head to the ballot later this year.

He announced that the Local Government Elections will be held on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, describing the timing as strategically chosen to maximise voter participation.

A voter registration weekend has been set for 20–21 June, as government ramps up efforts to counter growing concerns over voter apathy.

ALSO READ: ANC withdraws appeal over halted Eastern Cape conference

“The proposed date falls on a Wednesday and outside the festive period, which will improve voter turnout while having minimal impact on schooling and travel,” Ramaphosa said.

The announcement was made during his closing remarks at the Extended Presidential Coordinating Council (PCC) meeting in Boksburg, Gauteng, on Thursday.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, also speaking at the PCC meeting in Boksburg, said the 4 November date was selected to avoid overlap with the festive season and the January back-to-school period, allowing the education sector to plan accordingly.

ALSO READ: Julius Malema demands R1 million, apology from Ngizwe Mchunu over ‘false’ drug dealer claims 

“The earliest opportunity was the first of November,” Hlabisa said, adding that the Department of Basic Education would adjust its examination timetable to minimise disruption.

He said the department was expected to finalise its plans by the end of June, including arrangements for first-time voters who will be casting their ballots.

Addressing voter apathy, Hlabisa expressed confidence that citizens would turn out in significant numbers.

“Our people will gain courage from today. Those who have raised concerns about poor basic service delivery will have their time,” he said.

He added that the next five-year term of local government would be shaped by voters’ choices.

Hlabisa also called for peaceful campaigning, urging political parties and communities to uphold democratic principles and ensure that voters can exercise their rights freely.

He said he would convene a meeting with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to coordinate voter mobilisation efforts.

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The African National Congress (ANC) has withdrawn its application for leave to appeal an interim court order that halted its Eastern Cape 10th provincial elective conference, marking a shift in legal strategy in a dispute that has exposed deep divisions over membership processes in one of the party’s key regions.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the party confirmed that it, together with Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, had formally filed a notice to withdraw the appeal at the East London Circuit Court in the Eastern Cape. 

The move follows the release of the presiding judge’s reasons for granting an interim interdict that stopped the conference in March.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the decision was taken on legal advice after studying the judgment. 

ALSO READ: ANC withdraws appeal over halted Eastern Cape conference

“The withdrawal follows the receipt of the learned judge’s formal reasons for the interim order and was taken on the considered advice of our legal team,” she said.

The court order, granted on 25 March by acting judge Babalo Metu, prevented the ANC from proceeding with its 10th provincial elective conference. The urgent application had been brought by a group of party members from Buffalo City, led by Lwazi Rotya, who challenged the integrity of the party’s branch verification process.

At the centre of the dispute is a verification report compiled under Mbalula’s office, which found that the province had met the required 70% threshold of audited branches to convene a conference. The applicants argued that the process was flawed and violated both the ANC constitution and Section 19 of the national Constitution, which guarantees political rights.

In his ruling, Metu found that the applicants had established a prima facie right to halt the gathering, citing unresolved disputes over branch general meetings, incomplete verification reports and the failure by the provincial executive to ratify key findings before the conference was scheduled to begin.

ALSO READ: Julius Malema demands R1 million, apology from Ngizwe Mchunu over ‘false’ drug dealer claims 

The judgment effectively forced the ANC to postpone the high stakes conference, which was expected to determine the future leadership of the province. 

The Eastern Cape remains a strategic stronghold for the party, with its provincial leadership playing a significant role in shaping national dynamics ahead of broader electoral contests.

Despite the withdrawal of the appeal by the national leadership, the ANC’s provincial structure has signalled it will continue to challenge the court ruling through other legal means. Provincial spokesperson Yanga Zicina said the provincial executive committee had not abandoned the legal fight.

“We are forging ahead with the legal battle and are applying different tactical considerations insofar as our legal strategy is concerned,” Zicina said. 

“We’re under legal advice on which tactics and what options are best available to us. The ANC is forging ahead with the processes to ensure conference seats. We are basically applying a different legal strategy.”.

Bhengu said the ANC remains confident it can demonstrate compliance with both court directives and its own internal rules. 

“These avenues will enable the African National Congress to demonstrate, on a full evidentiary footing, that the movement has adhered to the order of the Court, and that the membership records and administrative processes of the ANC in the Eastern Cape are sound and consistent with the Constitution of the African National Congress,” she said.

The party has indicated that instead of pursuing an appeal, it will use alternative legal processes to present evidence addressing concerns raised in court. This approach is expected to focus on resolving disputes around branch audits, delegate accreditation and membership records, which have been at the heart of the litigation.

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The ANC has reiterated its commitment to the rule of law and the authority of the courts, emphasising that the conference will only proceed once all legal and constitutional requirements have been satisfied.

“The convening of the Provincial Elective Conference of the Eastern Cape will be undertaken in accordance with the ANC Constitution and consistent with the directions of our courts of law,” Bhengu said.

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Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing allegations by KZN Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has entered its final phase, setting 8 May as the target date for completion of its draft report.

Members are expected to take an additional week to review, verify and submit inputs before the document is finalised.

During a virtual meeting on Tuesday evening, the committee received updates from evidence leaders and its technical team on progress made.

Chief evidence leader Norman Arendse said the draft was nearing completion but remained outstanding due to missing transcripts and limited human resources.

While much of the material — including Mkhwanazi’s testimony and issues such as alleged political interference, procurement irregularities and the role of specialised units — has been processed, key transcripts are still being finalised.

“A lot of detail and footnotes are still outstanding. We must ensure that this document, which will form part of the parliamentary record, is a proper and fair reflection of the committee’s deliberations,” Arendse said.

He added that once the draft is submitted, members would need dedicated time to interrogate the content and propose amendments before a consolidated version is produced.

Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane endorsed the approach, confirming 8 May as the deadline for the draft.

“That is the day on which the draft will be ready. Members must indicate how much time they require to go through it, so that at the next meeting we can consider a final version incorporating all inputs,” Lekganyane said.

ANC MP Khusela Diko supported giving members a week after 8 May to make submissions.

The DA and FF+ backed the revised timeline, while the EFF cautioned that the timeframe may prove tight depending on the report’s length and complexity.

“I don’t know if a week will be sufficient — it will depend on the number of pages — but for now it is a ballpark figure,” said EFF MP Leigh-Anne Mathys.

Parliamentary adviser Christine Silkstone outlined the structure of the preliminary report, which will be divided into three sections: a descriptive account of proceedings and evidence, an analytical assessment, and a final section setting out findings and recommendations.

She noted that while the structure may evolve, it is intended to guide the committee from evidence-gathering to deliberation and decision-making.

Internal briefing documents used during proceedings will inform the report but will not appear as standalone submissions.

The committee also dealt with three outstanding procedural issues raised by parliamentary legal adviser Andile Tetyana.

The first relates to access to a report by the Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI).

The committee had requested submissions from suspended IGI Imtiaz Fazel, who declined to testify citing national security concerns.

Tetyana said acting Police Minister Feroz Cachalia had not objected in principle to the committee accessing the report, but procedural complications have delayed the process.

The Secretary to the National Assembly, Masibulele Xaso, indicated the report had been returned to the minister due to a lack of coordination with the Speaker’s office.

As a result, no date or venue has yet been set for the committee to access the classified document, prompting calls for intervention at leadership level.

The second issue concerns representations from the Busisiwe Mkhwebane Foundation, which claims the committee had undertaken to receive in-camera evidence from a former warrant officer regarding the death of Lieutenant-General Sindile Mfazi.

Lekganyane rejected this claim, stating no formal decision had been taken to hold such a session.

The third matter involves an application by Sarah-Jane Trent, a former witness and employee of Paul O’Sullivan, to have her testimony expunged from the record.

The request, lodged in March, was pending a forensic psychological evaluation report, which has since been submitted.

Lekganyane said he would engage with the report confidentially but expressed reservations about the application.

The committee has agreed to seek an extension of its mandate from the National Assembly, with Lekganyane indicating the inquiry could conclude by late May or early June.

The meeting ended with members endorsing the revised timeline and extending condolences to MKP MP David Skosana following the recent loss of his mother.

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The DA has escalated its campaign against Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe, who is also the president of the ANC Women’s League, filing a second ethics complaint in Parliament over the allegations linked to luxury vehicles reportedly donated by the Chinese Embassy.

DA national spokesperson Jan de Villiers said the latest complaint had been lodged with Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests, following an earlier complaint last year.

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The second complaint comes in the wake of the recent controversy over two vehicles allegedly donated by the Chinese Embassy, which the DA claims the minister attempted to conceal or misrepresent.

De Villiers raised two scenarios, which he described as “deeply troubling”.

“The first is that the vehicles in question were donated to the Minister personally, and that she failed to disclose this in the Parliamentary Register of Members’ Interests, and subsequently misled Parliament regarding that non-disclosure,” he said.

“The second is that the vehicles were donated to the ANC Women’s League, and that the Minister fraudulently registered these vehicles in the names of her children to shield the assets from potential attachment by creditors linked to the ANC,” De Villiers added.

He stressed that the allegations cut against the core principles expected of public representatives, and that the code of ethical conduct requires parliamentarians to “uphold principles of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, openness, honesty and leadership”.

The DA confirmed it has also approached President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Public Protector, and law enforcement authorities as part of a broader push for accountability.

The latest move follows an earlier ethics complaint lodged in October 2025, which centred on governance issues within the Department of Social Development.

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That complaint accused Tolashe of misleading Parliament over the appointment of Director-General Peter Netshipale, improperly handling disciplinary processes, shielding a special adviser facing misconduct allegations, and appointing an unqualified individual to her office.

In recent weeks, the DA and other parties have raised concerns about the origin and ownership of the vehicles.

Reports suggest the cars, valued at around R1 million, were allegedly given to Tolashe and later registered in the names of her children, raising questions about compliance with the Executive Ethics Code, which requires presidential approval for gifts exceeding R1,000.

DA spokesperson on Social Development Nazley Sharif previously said the party has intensified its efforts across multiple fronts, including laying criminal charges and calling for a parliamentary inquiry.

“We call on President Ramaphosa to remove Minister Tolashe from office, failing which the DA will continue to use all mechanisms we have launched to hold her to account for this scandal and her irregular office appointments and overreach of powers,” Sharif said.

The DA has also written to Parliament’s Social Development committee demanding a full inquiry, saying that the scale and number of allegations point to a broader pattern of misconduct.

ALSO READ: Zandile Dabula to leave Operation Dudula Movement, citing internal strife

ActionSA, earlier, opened a criminal case and filed complaints with oversight bodies, and it has criticised the DA for duplicating processes already under investigation.

Meanwhile, Tolashe has indicated she is willing to step down, inviting the president to remove her from office.

Her department previously said the minister remains committed to cooperating with all official processes.

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One of the founders and prominent leaders of the Operation Dudula Movement, Zandile Dabula, has announced that she is leaving the quasi-political movement known for its tough stance against illegal immigrants in South Africa.

In a leaked letter dated 25 April 2026, Dabula announced that she would leave the movement next month (17 May 2026).

The letter was addressed to the leaders of the movement.

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Amongst the issues she said are forcing her out were internal division, saying they are defocusing the movement from executing what it was formed for.

She has also noted her desire not to contest political leadership.

“In the interest of transparency and institutional accountability, I consider it necessary to place on record the factors that have materially informed my intention to resign: Persistent internal divisions, often characterised by ill-informed engagements that detract from strategic focus and organizational cohesion; erosion of respect for internal organizational processes, which are essential for discipline, governance, and collective decision-making,” the letter states.

Dabula also cites what she calls the limited participation of skilled and informed individuals in meaningful roles, thereby constraining the organisation’s ability to benefit from expertise required for sustainable growth and effective political participation.

“Concerns regarding compliance obligations, particularly the need for full and consistent adherence by the political party to the requirements of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC),” is another issue she raisws in the letter.

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Operation Dudula is registered as a political party and is targeting the upcoming Local Government Elections.

Dabula added that she believes that she is not a suitable to help the movement as it enters the political arena and contest the elections.

“Having reflected on the organization’s journey, I have concluded that my contribution is better suited within the civic and societal discourse rather than in political leadership.”

“Members of Operation Dudula have made significant personal sacrifices. It is for this reason that I must state that I do not believe I am the most suitable person to lead the organization into contesting state power.”

“I will retain my independence as a citizen and voter and may support any political party aligned with firm, lawful, and effective action on illegal migration. Until such determination, I will dedicate myself to civic engagement and community-based initiatives, contributing to national dialogue on migration, governance, and social cohesion.” Dabula stated.

Contacted for comment, Dabula confirmed that the letter came from her and she will soon call a press to publicly announce her decision. “Yes it’s legit (the letter), (I) will call a media briefing,” she told Inside Politics.

The movement has repeatedly clashed with the state and rights groups over its stance on immigrants in South Africa.

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In November last year, the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg interdicted activists of the movement from disrupting and blocking foreign nationals from accessing social services, around the country.

The court interdicted them following a spate of disruptions in healthcare facilities and schools in Johannesburg after it was approached by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of SA.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the movement was accused of working hand in hand with the March and March Movement to allegedly block foreign nationals from accessing the Addington Hospital along Durban’s beachfront. It was also alleged that the two movements jointly blocked Addington Primary school, demanding that children of foreign nationals should give way to stranded children of South Africans.

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The Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, has filed urgent court papers to prevent the EFF leader, Julius Malema, from making defamatory statements against him in relation to his enrolment for a Master’s degree at the University of Fort Hare and his subsequent deregistration.

Mabuyane filed the court papers in his personal capacity. He is seeking an interdict, including a costs order against Malema, for claiming that he stole his Master’s qualification from Fort Hare.

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He further seeks an order preventing Malema from conducting any interviews in which he makes claims about him stealing a Master’s degree or obtaining it fraudulently.

His action follows Malema’s refusal to retract and apologise for the remarks he made during an EFF media briefing on 9 April and 16 April, when addressing his supporters outside the East London Magistrate Court in KuGompo.

 In that briefing, Malema alleged that the University of Fort Hare had been crippled by ANC politicians who had registered fraudulently, without meeting the minimum requirements, in order to satisfy the education criteria for deployment by the political party.

He specifically mentioned Mabuyane, the Buffalo City Metro mayor Princess Faku, and the former Minister of Public Service and Administration, Noxolo Kiviet, all of whom are currently under investigation by the Special Investigating Unit.

Malema repeated those allegations on 16 April while addressing supporters outside the magistrate’s court in KuGompo.

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He told police officers maintaining public order that, instead of being there in large numbers, they should go and raid the offices of Mabuyane, who had stolen his Master’s degree.

This follows Malema’s sentencing in the East London Regional Magistrate’s Court, where Magistrate Twanet Olivier sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment for discharging a firearm in a public space, possession of an unlawful firearm and ammunition, recklessness, and failure to take precautions for public safety.

 He was granted leave to appeal the sentence but not the guilty verdict.

Mabuyane said the remarks were false, malicious and defamatory.

He argued that the statements constituted a campaign of harassment and defamation aimed at tarnishing his reputation, dignity and integrity.

He said Malema’s statements were not mere political commentary or opinion grounded in publicly known facts.

In his court papers, which Inside Politics has seen, Mabuyane said he applied to enrol for the Master of Administration programme through the recognition of prior learning (RPL) in 2019, shortly after his appointment as Eastern Cape Premier.

This was based on his years of work experience, which included two terms as ANC Eastern Cape provincial secretary and his one-year stint as a member of the executive council of the Eastern Cape government, responsible for Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

ALSO READ: KZN satisfaction with democracy crashes to 6%, IEC says

He said he was deregistered by the university in March 2021 without prior notice that his enrolment was under review.

He also complained that, after the university appointed a forensic investigative firm to investigate his registration, its report was leaked to the media before it was made available to him, and he was never afforded an opportunity to respond to its contents.

Mabuyane said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had declined to prosecute him for any criminal allegations arising from his registration.

“These statements have generally lowered my esteem among right-thinking members of society. They have also exposed me to hatred, contempt and ridicule, as members of the public might believe I do not have a basic degree and was involved in stealing a qualification,” said Mabuyane.

He said the scale and prominence of the coverage was itself evidence of the severity of the reputational harm.

Inside Politics has also seen a response from Malema’s legal team, England Slabbert Attorneys, to the previous letter of demand for retraction and apology.

 In it, they stated that they had been instructed to oppose any action should Mabuyane elect to proceed with the matter.

Malema’s legal team has stated that he cannot be held liable for widespread allegations that are in the public domain.

And the impugned statement was a call to action for the SIU to finalise the Fort Hare degree saga in which Mabuyane is implicated.

Malema’s legal team has until 30 April to file opposing papers, and the matter is set down for argument on 26 May.

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Suspended Sedibeng police brigadier Abraham Mbangwa Nkhwashu has maintained that his after-hours visit to controversial businessman and murder accused Katiso “KT” Molefe in prison was due to a personal matter and not linked to any alleged attempts at interfering in the investigation.

Appearing before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday, Nkhwashu said the visits were lawful and him trying to help his “sister” (Molefe’s partner Fundiswa Nyangule) visit him.

ALSO READ: ConCourt says SAHRC directives are not binding

“I have dedicated my career to the South African Police Service and have acted with integrity. I am being prejudiced by allegations that are vague and not yet tested. I deny any wrongdoing,” he said.

Nkhwashu is currently suspended on allegations that he attempted to interfere in the Armand Swart murder investigation, following testimony before the commission from Witness B.

The brigadier confirmed that he did travel to Groenpunt Correctional Centre in Vereeniging in December 2024, but rejected suggestions that the visit was improper or clandestine.

He told the commission that he had gone to deliver clothing at the request of Nyangule, whom he described as a “younger sister” under customary family arrangements.

According to Nkhwashu, his relationship with Nyangule dates back to the early 1990s, when she was in a relationship with his brother, Sazi.

After Sazi was shot dead in 2002, Nkhwashu said he assumed the role of family head in line with amaMpondo custom, taking on responsibilities that included supporting and protecting Nyangule.

He testified that although he initially opposed her relationship with Molefe, who was married at the time, he continued to assist her when needed, including helping after Molefe’s arrest.

ALSO READ: Nkosi denied bail, remanded in custody

Nkhwashu said that Nyangule contacted him in December 2024, informing him that Molefe had been detained and required clothing and food.

He said he took her and the supplies but only arrived at the prison after official visiting hours.

“I was informed on arrival that I would not be able to see him. I then handed over the clothing to officials, who said they would pass it on,” Nkhwashu said.

He said the food he had brought was not accepted by correctional staff due to prison regulations.

Another allegation concerning his visit, was that he had allegedly arrived in an unlicensed vehicle, but Nkhwashu denied that he had deliberately removed the licence plates from his vehicle to avoid detection.

“The truth is that my car was new at the time and had not yet been issued with formal registration plates. It was fitted with a temporary permit issued by the dealership named Omars Motors, situated in Meyerton,” he said.

Nkhwashu also emphasised his willingness to cooperate with the commission, while maintaining his right to a fair process.

“I request that the Commission make a finding that there is no basis for the allegations against me and that the SAPS immediately withdraw any proceedings against me,” he said.

The commission continues.

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Suspended Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi has conceded at the Madlanga Commission that his relationship with suspended sergeant Fannie Nkosi may have created a “perception” of conflict of interest, while insisting he remained objective in the Tshwane security tender process.

Led by evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson, Mnisi was questioned on Tuesday about his close friendship with Nkosi and whether it should have been disclosed while he was serving on the bid adjudication committee (BAC).

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“In hindsight I need to agree that now when we’re discussing these matters there is a perception of conflict that it’s clear and it’s apparent and I can’t avoid it. However, what I’m certain of is that when I signed this declaration form, from my perspective, my objectivity was not impaired whatsoever. It remains not impaired at this point in time,” he said.

Mnisi confirmed that he had signed the declaration form while chairing the BAC and had not disclosed any conflict, arguing that the committee’s panel-based structure acted as a safeguard against undue influence.

His testimony has focused heavily on his relationship with Nkosi, whom he described in earlier evidence as a “brother for life”. Mnisi also confirmed that after his official security was withdrawn in December 2024, Nkosi arranged a driver for him, although he denied receiving security from Nkosi and said he paid the individuals directly.

The commission has heard that, of the seven companies Nkosi sent to Mnisi in relation to the City of Tshwane’s R2.9 billion security tender, two were later awarded the tender. One of them, Ngaphesheya, is owned by Nkosi’s brother, Bheki.  

ALSO READ: Masemola to appear with ‘Cat’ Matlala as state amends SAPS tender charge sheet

Chaskalson put it to Mnisi that, regardless of his own view of his impartiality, his continued participation in the BAC exposed the process to a perception of bias and possible conflict of interest.

But Mnisi rejected that, saying he had no financial or other interest in Ngaphesheya and denying any direct connection to Bheki Nkosi.

“I do not agree with you. I was objective in terms of handling this matter. I have no interest in Ngaphesheya whatsoever. I’m only saying that in hindsight there is a perception of conflict which must further be assessed on its own merit,” Mnisi said.

The commission has also heard evidence about Mnisi’s contact with Nkosi during the tender process, including earlier testimony that he gave pointers to Nkosi on a separate tender involving his brother at another organ of state. Commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga on Monday accused Mnisi of taking a narrow view of what constituted a conflict of interest.

ALSO READ: Masemola to appear with ‘Cat’ Matlala as state amends SAPS tender charge sheet

Mnisi further confirmed that he shared a termination letter relating to Gubis85 Solutions, a competitor of Ngaphesheya, with Nkosi, but denied giving him financial or operational details.

He also said he later became aware that Nkosi had obtained Gubis’s bid information.

Mnisi is expected to return to the commission at a later date for re-examination.

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