Pretoria – The City of Tshwane has resolved to take disciplinary action against suspended Group Chief Financial Officer, Gareth Mnisi, several months after he appeared before the Madlanga Commission.
Mnisi appeared in April before the judicial inquiry investigating corruption, political interference, and criminality within the criminal justice system, where he was quizzed about his role in issuing a dodgy security tender.
On Thursday, 9 July 2026, Tshwane Mayor, Dr. Nasiphi Moya, announced that the allegations against the suspended Chief Financial Officer were so serious he would have to undergo disciplinary action.
“Following its consideration of the Final Forensic Investigation Report into allegations of misconduct against the Chief Financial Officer, Council resolved to institute disciplinary proceedings against the CFO,” stated Mayor Moya
“Having considered the nature of the allegations and the applicable legislative framework, Council further determined that the allegations constitute less serious misconduct as contemplated in Part I of Annexure A to the Regulation.
“The disciplinary process will now proceed in accordance with the prescribed statutory procedures.”
The coalition Council also considered the written representations submitted by City Manager Johann Mettler, a member of the Democratic Alliance (DA), in response to the proposed precautionary suspension process initiated under Regulation 6 of the Regulations.
“After considering the representations, together with the applicable legislative framework and the matters previously placed before Council, Council resolved to place the City Manager on precautionary suspension on full pay pending the outcome of the independent investigation,” said Mayor Moya, a member of the ActionSA party.
“I appreciate that there has been public interest and speculation regarding the potential impact of these decisions on the functioning of the City.
“I want to assure residents that the administration remains stable and fully focused on delivering reliable services, maintaining the City’s financial stability, accelerating infrastructure investment and improving the quality of life of all those who live in our capital city.”
However, the DA has described the suspension of the City manager as “a disgrace, won through vote-rigging”.
Cilliers Brink, the DA Tshwane Mayoral Candidate, said his party condemns the “unlawful suspension” of Mettler.
“Mr. Mettler was suspended by the coalition of corruption after it unlawfully passed a baseless report brought by ActionSA Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya,” asserted Brink.
He said the DA was consulting its legal team on the events that unfolded in Council and will present a way forward today, Friday 10 July 2026.
“The EFF proposal to suspend Mr Mettler was in fact defeated on the votes cast,” said Brink, himself a former mayor of Tshwane
“However, after the votes had been cast and counted, the Speaker arbitrarily deducted 13 votes from various parties, including the DA, reversing the outcome and paving the way for Mr. Mettler’s suspension.
“By hook or by crook, through whatever sham process, the ANC-led coalition of corruption was determined to get Mettler suspended – even when the votes went against them.”
Brink said it was outrageous that democratically elected public representatives, chosen by the residents of Tshwane to represent them in Council, were denied their constitutional right for their votes to count in one of the most important votes before the Council.
“By excluding these councillors, the Speaker effectively disenfranchised the thousands of residents they represent,” Brink said.
“The Speaker has failed to provide any lawful basis or reconciliation for deducting these votes.”
Commenting on the matter, ActionSA National Chairperson Michael Beaumont said: ”Of surprise was the failure of the opposition to attend this council meeting in sufficient numbers.
“The DA in particular were 15 councillors short of their full quota, the consequence of which is that there were not sufficient numbers to prevent Mnisi’s return to run the finances of the city or stop the suspension of the municipal manager,” Beaumont said.
While ActionSA stated that it did not vote for the suspension of the city manager, Beaumont said the party stood with Mayor Moya.
“As it relates to the considerations pertaining to the CFO, ActionSA voted for the allegations to be classified as serious such that the CFO would remain on suspension while facing a formal disciplinary process,” revealed Beaumont.
In respect of the City Manager, the Council considered suspending Mettler, based on representations solicited since the previous meeting.
ActionSA stated that it considered these representations, against the allegations, and resolved that its councillors would vote against a suspension.
“This decision was grounded in the reason that a suspension cannot be warranted against allegations that are dated and have already been investigated by bodies like the Auditor-General, Public Protector and the Courts, such that there is not a reasonable risk of the ongoing investigation or witnesses being interfered with,” explained Beaumont.
“It is worth noting that the independent investigation into the allegations against the Municipal Manager continues arising from the decision of the prior council meeting.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which initiated the process against Mettler by submitting a detailed 45-page complaint, said it strongly supports his suspension.
The African National Congress stated that it was lockstep with the EFF on this matter.
