Madlanga Commission Resumes as TMPD Tender Fraud in spotlight
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, Madlanga resumes its public hearings on Tuesday, 7 April 2026, following the short Easter recess. The inquiry will continue its focus on the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) throughout the week, diving deeper into a growing body of evidence that has already led to several high-profile suspensions.
Taking the hot seat is Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) Chief Yolande Faro.
The commission is probing serious claims of corruption, tender rigging, and political interference within the Tshwane Metro, with testimony heard before the recess revealing an alleged scheme to defraud the city of millions of rands in taxpayers’ money.
Mandate and Parallel Phases
The impetus for the commission’s investigation was sparked by allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during a media conference in Durban on 6 July 2025.
While the commission continues to welcome all relevant information, its mandate is specifically to investigate allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption arising from those particular claims, not every instance of wrongdoing across the criminal justice system.
The inquiry is running phases one and two in parallel. Phase one involves the airing of allegations, while phase two allows implicated individuals to respond to specific allegations and tell their side of the story.
Extended Timeline and Future Reports
President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the commission’s term to accommodate the long list of witnesses still required to testify. The commission is now required to submit a second interim report to the President by 29 May 2026, with a comprehensive final report due by 31 August 2026.
This extension was granted at the commission’s request and signals the government’s commitment to addressing corruption within its justice operations.
Key Revelations on the TMPD
Before the Easter break, the commission heard explosive testimony that has already had significant consequences within the Tshwane Metro.
- High-Profile Suspensions: TMPD Deputy Commissioner Umashi Dhlamini was suspended after allegations surfaced that he colluded with a controversial police officer to rig tenders. Dhlamini, who was responsible for Support and Administration, requested his own suspension, which was approved by TMPD Commissioner Yolande Faro and took effect on 20 March 2026. The department stated the suspension is a standard risk-management measure to ensure a fair and thorough investigation.
- Political Interference Allegations: Evidence presented at the commission linked Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema to alleged tender manipulation within the Tshwane Municipality. Testimony revealed that Dhlamini provided a list of seven preferred service providers, which he indicated were recommended by individuals representing the EFF and its leader, who is widely known as “CIC Juju”.
- Recruitment Irregularities: Suspended MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi of ActionSA, was implicated in attempting to subvert the recruitment process for new metro police officers. Evidence showed she sent a list of job applicants to Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, who forwarded it to Dhlamini.
- Tender Irregularities: The commission heard how Security Company Gubis85 Solutions scored R59 million from a R2.9-billion tender that was alleged to be irregular. Testimony also revealed that Nkosi, a key witness, shared an internal draft tender document with an individual known as “Mr Mampane”.
- Criminal Arrests: Following a contentious six-day testimony session in late March 2026, where Sergeant Fannie Nkosi was labeled as ‘obstructive and untruthful’, police executed a search and seizure warrant at his home on 2 April 2026, leading to his arrest. Additionally, twelve senior police officers were arrested in the Tshwane area on 25 March 2026, accused of assisting an alleged crime ringleader in securing an irregular tender from the SAPS.
The commission’s hearings are scheduled to continue throughout the week, with more explosive testimony expected as the inquiry progress.
Opening, faro has expressed that she is shocked about the alleged siphoning of funds at the TMPD.
