The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused the ANC and EFF in Tshwane’s governing coalition of trying to remove City Manager Johann Mettler in retaliation for revelations made before the Madlanga Commission.

Addressing the media on Thursday, DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink said efforts to suspend Mettler were politically motivated and aimed at removing a senior official who had resisted irregular procurement practices and pursued disciplinary action against officials implicated in corruption.

Brink’s comments came after a 45-page complaint by EFF Tshwane caucus leader and member of the mayoral committee Obakeng Ramabodu, which contains a series of misconduct allegations against Mettler and calls for his suspension.

According to the DA, Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya was expected to table a report before council on Thursday recommending that the allegations be investigated.

Brink said the dispute is closely linked to testimony given by Tshwane Metro Police Department deputy commissioner Revo Spies before the Madlanga Commission.

“Spies’ testimony at the Madlanga Commission has implicated several officials in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni in tender rigging and mismanagement. This provoked the ire of high-ranking politicians. By moving against Mettler those moving against him will eventually get to Spies,” Brink said.

The complaint against Mettler contains allegations relating to procurement processes, labour disputes, appointments of senior officials and governance failures. It also refers to findings by oversight institutions, including the Public Protector and the Auditor-General.

Among the issues raised are allegations relating to irregular expenditure, the implementation of lifestyle audits, disciplinary action against municipal employees and the handling of procurement matters within the city.

The complaint also accuses Mettler of suppressing a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report relating to the controversial Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works upgrade tender.

Brink rejected the allegation, saying the SIU report is with President Cyril Ramaphosa and is not under Mettler’s control.

The DA further alleged that Ramabodu has focused on securing the return to work of the so-called Rooiwal Five, officials implicated in the awarding of a tender linked to businessman Edwin Sodi and his associates.

“Ramobodu’s main preoccupation has been with facilitating the return to work of the so-called Rooiwal Five,” Brink said.

The party also rejected allegations relating to the appointment of Spies, saying he was appointed by Tshwane Metro Police Commissioner Yolande Faro and not by Mettler.

Brink further claimed that Mettler had refused to approve a recommendation by the city’s bid adjudication committee to award a 50-year lease agreement for the Tshwane Showgrounds to a joint venture that included a company called Smada.

Smada has been mentioned in court papers and testimony linked to the Madlanga Commission in relation to alleged procurement irregularities involving state contracts. No finding has been made against the company in relation to the Tshwane Showgrounds matter.

The DA alleges that suspending Mettler would allow for the appointment of an acting city manager who may be more willing to approve procurement decisions that had previously been flagged as irregular or blocked.

The party said it would report the matter to SAPS and other investigative bodies to determine whether improper pressure is being exerted on Mettler.

“Depending on the decision taken by the municipal council today, the DA will be consulting our attorneys to ensure that governance in Tshwane is not compromised,” Brink said.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa told Kenyan President William Ruto on Thursday that South Africans were not xenophobic, and that migration “challenges” facing the country required a coordinated response from African leaders.

He was speaking during Ruto’s state visit to South Africa, which runs from 3 to 5 June, after the two leaders held talks at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.  

“South Africans are not xenophobic. South Africans are Africans, they want to live with other Africans peacefully. Our people are calling on us as leaders to resolve the many challenges that are brought to bear by the challenge of migration,” Ramaphosa said during a joint press briefing.

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The president’s statements come as anti-illegal protests have flared up in the country, with groups including March and March calling for all illegal-immigrants to leave South Africa by 30 June – which activists have set as a date for a national anti-illegal immigrant shutdown — or be forcibly removed.

“[A]s South African, we are addressing this matter and I was rather pleased that you (Ruto) had a good understanding of this issue as well. So working together, South Africa and Kenya can help shape a peaceful integrated and thriving African continent that is always able to resolve its own problems,” Ramaphosa said.

South Africa has granted Kenyan passport holders visa-free entry for up to 90 days per calendar year since 2023, which Ramaphosa said had boosted tourism, business travel and cultural exchanges.

Ruto said South Africa was heavily affected by migration because it was one of the most developed countries on the continent, attracting people from other African countries seeking opportunities.

He said South Africa would be less burdened if development across the continent expanded and citizens had access to services and economic opportunities in their own countries. Ruto also called for African Union (AU) reforms to support large-scale development across the continent.

“[President Ramaphosa] and I agreed that a fit for purpose AU will help create the solidarity between countries so that we can provide opportunities for our citizens, and avoid unnecessary competition over resources and opportunities that sometimes results in the kind of challenges that we have,” Ruto said.

The two leaders also discussed increasing economic cooperation between South Africa and Kenya, including partnerships in agriculture, green energy, skills development and maritime cooperation.

Ramaphosa said trade between the two countries had grown, with Kenyan exports to South Africa expanding and helping to create a more balanced trade relationship.

According to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, total trade between South Africa and Kenya increased from R9.3 billion in 2016 to R10.5 billion in 2025, with average growth of 3.5% over that period.

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“Our partnership carries significance not only for our citizens but for the broader African project of integration, industrialisation and inclusive growth,” Ramaphosa said.

The countries are also looking to strengthen private-sector cooperation through a proposed South Africa-Kenya Joint Business Council, which Ramaphosa said would create a platform for business leaders from both countries to engage on trade, investment and development opportunities.

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Tshwane Mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya has raised alarm over the city’s annual expenditure of R30 million on salaries for suspended officials, most of whom are senior managers.

“One of the concerns that we have was the amount of money that we pay for people who are sitting at home,” Moya said.

ALSO READ: Former NW Premier Bushy Maape passes away

“We gave an instruction to look at those cases that can realistically be brought back to the city so that managers don’t just send people on suspension because they don’t want that colleague at work.”

Moya explained how disciplinary processes have dragged on, with some officials finding ways to delay proceedings.

“Either they will change lawyers. When they change lawyers, they ask for an extension. They find a way to play with the system, and they are within their rights,” she said.

According to Moya, about 80% of the R30 million is tied to the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works tender scandal and other 2023 cases involving senior officials.

“Their disciplinary process is not concluded because now you’re spending 30 million rand on people that are supposed to be at work that aren’t at work,” she said.

The Rooiwal matter, linked to irregular contracts worth nearly R295 million, has already been the subject of Bargaining Council rulings, Labour Court appeals, and ongoing Special Investigating Unit probes. These legal complexities have kept the officials on suspension while the city continues to foot the bill.

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Moya acknowledged that in some cases, such as Rooiwal, the city’s hands are tied due to pending court processes.

“As I’m saying, the Rooiwal, what can you do realistically when there’s a court case?” she asked.

While stressing that suspended officials are entitled to due process, Moya said the city must find ways to conclude disciplinary matters more efficiently.

“You’re spending millions on people who are supposed to be at work. That’s money that could be used for service delivery,” she said.

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By Marcus Moloko

Tshwane Mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya has raised alarm over the city’s annual expenditure of R30 million on salaries for suspended officials, most of whom are senior managers.

“One of the concerns that we have was the amount of money that we pay for people who are sitting at home,” Moya said.

ALSO READ: Former NW Premier Bushy Maape passes away

“We gave an instruction to look at those cases that can realistically be brought back to the city so that managers don’t just send people on suspension because they don’t want that colleague at work.”

Moya explained how disciplinary processes have dragged on, with some officials finding ways to delay proceedings.

“Either they will change lawyers. When they change lawyers, they ask for an extension. They find a way to play with the system, and they are within their rights,” she said.

According to Moya, about 80% of the R30 million is tied to the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works tender scandal and other 2023 cases involving senior officials.

“Their disciplinary process is not concluded because now you’re spending 30 million rand on people that are supposed to be at work that aren’t at work,” she said.

The Rooiwal matter, linked to irregular contracts worth nearly R295 million, has already been the subject of Bargaining Council rulings, Labour Court appeals, and ongoing Special Investigating Unit probes. These legal complexities have kept the officials on suspension while the city continues to foot the bill.

ALSO READ: In Pictures: SA pays final respects to Botswana President Festus Mogae

Moya acknowledged that in some cases, such as Rooiwal, the city’s hands are tied due to pending court processes.

“As I’m saying, the Rooiwal, what can you do realistically when there’s a court case?” she asked.

While stressing that suspended officials are entitled to due process, Moya said the city must find ways to conclude disciplinary matters more efficiently.

“You’re spending millions on people who are supposed to be at work. That’s money that could be used for service delivery,” she said.

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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.  

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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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Democratic Alliance Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink has accused Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya of entrenching the city’s reliance on water tankers instead of fixing failing infrastructure.

Brink made the statements on Wednesday, a day before Moya is to deliver her state of the capital address on Thursday.

His criticism follows the collapse of a community meeting in Hammanskraal earlier this week, after Moya failed to arrive.  

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Convened to update residents on water supply problems, the meeting was instead led by Community Safety MMC Hannes Coetzee and was adjourned after disruptions.

Moya later apologised and said she had been delayed at another engagement, and that when she was “on my way” she was told meeting was adjourned “for safety reasons”.

“The community erupted in anger and understandably so. This was the kind of anger that comes from being lied to and ignored by the people in authority,” Brink said.

He said Moya’s planned address would offer only a superficial “jet-packer treatment” to residents, while avoiding difficult questions over corruption and service delivery failures.

“One thing that cannot be hidden is that under Mayor Moya’s administration, Tshwane has gone backward,” he said.

Brink accused the ANC, which he said had “returned to power” with the backing of coalition partners including ActionSA and the EFF, of driving up expenditure on water tankers to formalised areas from R140 million to R777 million.

While frequently reported, that amount has been challenged by Deputy Executive Mayor and Finance MMC Eugene Modise, who has said it does not reflect actual verified spending.

Brink also slammed the city’s high water losses. Non-revenue water sits at about 39.1%, according to the city itself, with an annual loss of about R1.7 billion.

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“Worse still, as these leaks worsen, the demand for water tankers increases,” Brink said.

“Unless the cycle is broken, the water tanker mafia will not stop in the communities currently being serviced by water tankers.”

Brink also lashed out at senior leaders in the governing coalition, including Modise, who has been accused of having links to companies that have been awarded water tanker contracts.

 “We must end the coalition chaos and the ongoing changing of mayors that undermine every effort to get our city working,” Brink said.

“Only then can we deliver on a programme that stops corruption, improves delivery, creates jobs and opportunities for ordinary people, and truly transforms the way of life of people who live here.”

Brink said the local government election would be about more than control of the metro, adding that residents needed to reclaim the city from “criminal syndicates” and patronage networks.

“If residents want to end the tanker economy, fix our city’s infrastructure and stop Tshwane’s decline, they must vote for a party that is prepared to fight for this city,” Brink said.

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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has laid out an ambitious vision to govern Gauteng’s key metros, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane, positioning service delivery, infrastructure investment and coalition reform at the centre of its campaign ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

Speaking at the party’s federal congress over the weekend — where Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis was elected new party leader — senior leaders framed the elections as a decisive moment for the country’s urban future, arguing that the DA’s governance model offers a clear alternative to what they described as failing ANC-led municipalities.

Click the link below for the full story.

ALSO READ: Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis elected DA leader

City of Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis was elected the new Federal Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) at the party’s congress in Johannesburg on Sunday, marking a generational shift.

Hill-Lewis secured victory in a closely watched contest against Sedibeng leader Sibusiso Dyonase, as delegates concluded voting on the second day of the congress.

In his first remarks after being elected, Hill-Lewis struck a conciliatory tone, praising his opponent and signalling unity within the party.

ALSO READ: DA adopts child protection, education and governance reforms at Federal Congress

The DA wrapped up its Federal Congress on Sunday with the adoption of a series of policy resolutions ranging from child protection and education reform to internal party communications, before building on a set of governance and social policy commitments passed the previous day.

Delegates on Sunday endorsed a resolution promoting inclusive and non-religious terminology in party communications, signalling a shift toward language the party says reflects South Africa’s constitutional diversity.

Proposed by Refiloe Nt’sekhe who said the move is aimed at ensuring that official messaging remains accessible and respectful across religious and cultural lines.

For the full story, click the link below.

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Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) Chief Commissioner Yolande Faro has insisted that she moved swiftly to halt what she described as “unauthorised irregularities”, raising concern over how ad-hoc services were approved, deployed and paid for outside formal processes.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday afternoon, Faro said she only became aware of the irregularities after an internal email flagged the scale of spending.

“I became aware of the cost and the fact that there was no clarity of the procurement of this ad hoc security services. It was not apparent that there was a proper procedure in place,” Faro said.

Faro told the commission that she received an email from suspended Deputy Commissioner for Support and Administrative Services Umashi Dhlamini flagged a surge in additional sites requiring urgent security.

Faro said the request for additional funding, or an extension of the existing budget, was communicated in a 12 March 2025 email from Dhlamini to Deputy Commissioner for Asset Protection and Security Services Revo Spies.

“This email stated that the deployment of ad hoc security guards had grown exponentially, and indicated that an extra 37 sites were added in January 2025, with a further six sites added in February 2025. In total, it came to 43 sites. I was copied in this email, and notably, it attached invoices for ad hoc services for January and February 2025,” Faro said.

She said she immediately instructed Asset Protection unit-head Deputy Commissioner Revo Spies to halt all ad-hoc deployments, warning that the expenditure could trigger audit findings and harm the municipality’s finances.

“I’m not going to request additional budget for unauthorised ad hoc sites, this behaviour must stop,” she said, describing her response as urgent after discovering that dozens of additional sites had been secured without clear approval.

In line with Spies’ previous testimony before the commission, Faro identified an “Inspector Lebogang Phiri” as a key figure in the irregular deployments, stating he had no authority to issue instructions for ad-hoc security services.

“It would seem that the rising cost largely emanated from the unauthorised and irregular deployment of ad hoc security services by Inspector Phiri. He had no authority to issue such directives,” she said.

Evidence before the commission shows that Phiri signed multiple deployment letters authorising security services, specifically despite not being empowered to do so.

Faro confirmed that Phiri has since been issued with a notice of intention to suspend, although commissioners questioned why disciplinary action took nearly a year.

She attributed the delay to a “complex” internal investigation involving multiple departments, missing information and internal bottlenecks, including documents that were not escalated timeously by senior officials.

Commissioners raised concern that payments continued to be processed despite the apparent lack of authority behind the deployments.

Faro acknowledged that the problem extended beyond Phiri, confirming that officials who approved invoices were also under scrutiny.

“People just approved invoices without checking service levels, but we know who processed it, and we are looking at the entire process,” she said.

She added that investigators are tracing who authorised, stamped and approved payments, with consequence management expected across what she described as the “whole food chain”.

The probe has also widened to include the role of suspended Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi, after evidence leaders presented WhatsApp messages suggesting close coordination between Mnisi and accused SAPS Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.

The exchanges indicate that Nkosi was involved in discussions around requisitions, purchase orders and payments.

In one instance, Nkosi appears to relay messages between Mnisi and senior municipal officials regarding payment processing.

The commission heard that messages also referenced efforts to increase target values and fast-track payments, raising questions about whether procurement processes were manipulated after services had already been rendered.

Faro was pressed on how such large-scale spending could occur without being detected during routine budget oversight.

She said that ad-hoc services were effectively invisible within formal financial reporting structures.

“You could only pick up the ad-hoc if the ad-hoc is done in the correct way, if people are doing things not in a manner that you do it transparently, then you will not immediately pick it up,” she said.

Unlike fixed “watchman services”, which are budgeted and reported, ad-hoc deployments had no dedicated budget line, no reporting mechanism and no approval process, allowing expenditure to escalate unchecked.

Commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga described the absence of a budget framework as strange, noting that such security needs are foreseeable.

The commission also heard concerns about the distribution of work among the 22 contracted companies, with one firm, Gubis 85 Solutions, appearing to receive a disproportionate share of ad-hoc deployments.

Proceedings adjourned for the day, with Faro to resume her testimony on Wednesday morning.

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All Tshwane bus services have been grounded due to a fuel shortage.

Since Tuesday, bus service depots were reported to have run out of fuel.

This led to a substantially reduced number of buses on the road and widespread disruptions to scheduled trips.

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Tshwane Roads and Transport MMC Tlangi Mogale said she was at the bus service depot.

Mogale apologised for the inconvenience caused to commuters.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to continue with our operations this morning, and we want to apologise for any challenges that this may have caused [to passengers.]”

She said all bus operations would resume on Wednesday afternoon.

“The first delivery at 10 am will be at the C de Wet Depot, which runs the biggest shifts of 102. It will be followed by Jan Niamand Depot and then Pretoria North. This delivery will be for the full capacity, and we will be back to full bus operations for the afternoon and throughout the week,” Mogale said.

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The EFF in Tshwane has asked Mayor Nasiphi Moya to clarify whether DA mayoral candidate and councillor Cilliers Brink declared an alleged R62,386 monthly party “top-up” contained in a leaked DA report.  

Tshwane EFF caucus chief whip Godwin Ratikwane wrote to Moya about the “confidential document”, reportedly signed by former DA federal finance chairperson Dion George, setting out additional payments to certain DA party leaders.

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 “In terms of the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality’s policy on Councillors Declaration of Interests, all councillors are within 60 days required to declare in writing to the municipal manager their financial interests, including employment and remuneration or any other financial interests in any business undertaking,” Ratikwane wrote.

“In this regard, the EFF seeks clarity on whether Alderman Cilliers Brink has duly declared this alleged additional income in compliance with the policy.”

The leaked report said Brink received a gross monthly payment of R62,386 from 1 October 2024, reflecting the difference between the remuneration of a part-time Tshwane councillor and that of the city’s executive mayor. It said the amount was payable in terms of his contract with the party until the 2026 election.

“As indicated at the meeting, there exists a process for the approval of any additional payment,” the report read.

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“In the event of an appeal of a non-approval, the Federal Finance Committee will consider the request. Any approval is reported to the Federal Finance Committee and to the Federal Executive.”

Brink has denied any wrongdoing and said he had made the required disclosures.

“It’s not in fact clear what the complaint is about the income received by a councillor. I can assure you that all councillors have to declare their incomes and that I have done,” Brink told SABC News.

The DA has disputed the authenticity of the leaked report, although News24 reported that George confirmed the document was authentic.

The report also set out alleged top-up payments to other DA leaders. According to the leaked document, Mathew Cuthbert, a DA MP and the party’s head of policy, received an additional gross payment of R50,000 a month from 1 April 2025 until the 2026 election.

It further said DA federal leader and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen received an additional leader stipend of R14,584 a month from 1 June 2021 to 31 January 2022, which increased to R16,950 a month from 1 February 2022 to 31 March 2024. From April to June 2024, the report said, that increased to R58,344 gross a month to align his total salary with that of a premier, before shifting to R39,560 gross a month after his appointment as minister, taking his total remuneration to that of the deputy president.

The report also said the federal leader requested the inclusion of “payments for retirement funds” covering the past 15 years.

According to the report, Helen Zille was reimbursed R1 364 000 after transferring, at the party’s request, from the National Assembly to the City of Cape Town to help form the DA’s first government there. It said the reimbursement was intended to prevent a break in pension service that would have significantly reduced her pension benefit.

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Municipal electrical substations in Pretoria West have been illegally converted into rental rooms and were being let for R800 a month, the City of Tshwane said on Wednesday, as its Bad Buildings Committee intensified enforcement operations across industrial precincts.

“These hazardous spaces are currently occupied by foreign nationals seeking employment,” said the city’s MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, about the converted substations.

She said officials had also uncovered a recycling site allegedly involved in the illegal manufacture of plastic bags, which were destined for distribution to major retailers.

“Law enforcement successfully detained a group of illegal foreign nationals from Malawi and Ethiopia who were discovered operating the machinery within the unauthorised plastic bag facility,” Morodi said.

“The suspects were taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigation into the counterfeit distribution network.”

Morodi said officials conducted a separate intervention at Mai Metals and Recycling, where goods were confiscated due to non-compliance.

The business also had outstanding debt of approximately R5 million in unpaid municipal services and rates.

Officials issued four 21-day compliance notices, along with two warnings and one fine, to various property owners.

Morodi said contraventions included failure to submit fire safety plans, trading without a licence, lack of access for firefighting vehicles and the erection of illegal structures.

The Bad Buildings Committee remained committed to supporting the city’s vision of “a prosperous capital through fairness, freedom and opportunity”.

“Our goal is to reclaim and revitalise the inner-city precinct. We aim to build a Tshwane that every resident can be proud of while economically empowering our people,” she said.

“The future of Tshwane does not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable people in unsafe buildings, nor the theft of municipal services by businesses that refuse to pay their fair share.”

Since last year, the city has stepped up operations targeting illegal residential rooms and businesses operating unlawfully, most of which owe the city millions in debt.

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