The DA’s new offensive: Madlanga Commission letter
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is set to intensify its oversight role this week by formally petitioning the Madlanga Commission. DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink confirmed the party will send a letter of complaint detailing alleged corruption involving high-ranking officials.
The DA’s primary target is Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise, whom Brink claims has undeclared interests in security and water tanker companies. According to Brink, infrastructure funds were diverted to “politically connected entities.”
[READ ALSO: Madlanga Commission: Sergeant Fannie Nkosi Testimony Unpacks Tshwane Tender Secrets]
[WATCH the SABC News YouTube interview below: Cilliers Brink on ‘systemic’ Tshwane corruption & the R777m water tanker spike]
”We will be sharing the links relating to Deputy Mayor Modise and two security companies… it is for the investigators to decide if these links are relevant to the scope of the Commission,” said Brink.
[LIVE UPDATES: Follow the #MadlangaCommission conversation on X]
Reader sentiment: Local reaction remains wary of political grandstanding. One resident on X noted: “I want all the corruption to be exposed at #MadlangaCommission but they must never use Madlanga to fight their political battles. Let the Commission do its job… untainted & free of political pressure.”
Action SA vs Gayton McKenzie: Allegations and charges
While Tshwane burns, a national row has erupted between ActionSA and Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie. ActionSA is preparing to lay charges of intimidation against McKenzie following his alleged threats toward MP Dereleen James.
The dispute began after James questioned McKenzie’s travel expenses and alleged links between his associates and criminal figures. ActionSA National Chairperson Michael Beaumont noted that the remarks were interpreted as a genuine threat given the “background” of the Minister’s organisation.
Mashaba’s “taxpayer” rebuttal
Speaking on Newzroom Afrika this past Sunday, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba was scathing in his assessment of the Minister’s conduct:
”We cannot accept as ActionSA that a minister can use a threat like that,” Mashaba told Xoli Mngambi. “We come from a difficult history where some of us don’t even know where our families are [who disappeared] during the apartheid regime. Some of us are the biggest taxpayers of this country… having security being paid by our taxes and really using a threat? This is totally unacceptable.”
Mashaba confirmed the party is engaging intelligence services to reassess James’s risk profile and will hold the President accountable for the conduct of his executive.
Internal decisiveness: The Morodi suspension
In a move to prove their “zero-tolerance” stance, ActionSA acted swiftly following revelations at the Madlanga Commission. Within hours of Kholofelo Morodi (MMC for Corporate and Shared Services) being mentioned in testimony regarding a security tender, Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya placed her on special leave.
- 72-hour ultimatum: ActionSA’s Gauteng executive has given Morodi until late Monday (today) to provide a formal explanation as to why her membership should not be terminated.
- Decisive action: Mashaba noted that unlike his previous experiences in other parties where corruption was “protected,” ActionSA is demonstrating a new standard. “You get involved with us, don’t expect us to protect anyone in corruption because you’ll never be protected.”
Background context: These latest suspensions follow the high-stakes testimony provided earlier this month, which began unravelling the intricate web of tender allocations within the city. Relive the full details of that testimony here.
