Tshwane chief financial officer faces new misconduct complaint

By Palesa Matlala

• A councillor from the Republican Conference of Tshwane accused chief financial officer Gareth Mnisi of misrepresenting himself in his 2023 job application.

• A special Tshwane council meeting meant to discuss the complaint was adjourned without business, leaving councillors questioning why no report was presented.

City of Tshwane chief financial officer Gareth Mnisi is facing a new misconduct complaint.

The complaint was filed by Lex Middelberg, the sole councillor for the Republican Conference of Tshwane.

Middelberg claims Mnisi misrepresented himself in his 2023 job application.

He said this could amount to serious misconduct.

The issue was reported by IOL.

The complaint comes as Mnisi is already facing criticism from the African National Congress in the region.

The party accused him of submitting the city’s 2023/24 financial year report late.

They said the delay goes against the Municipal Financial Management Act.

Middelberg’s complaint was expected to be discussed during a special council meeting held at Tshwane House last week.

The matter was meant to be discussed in camera because the report is still being finalised.

But the meeting ended without the issue being discussed.

This angered Middelberg.

He said the disciplinary code for senior managers requires the council to act quickly once a complaint is received.

According to the rules, the council must meet within seven days to consider the complaint and appoint an independent investigator if needed.

Democratic Alliance mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink confirmed that the special council meeting was called to discuss the accusations against Mnisi.

“As it is no such report was tabled and the special Council meeting was adjourned without conducting any business,” said Brink.

He said the Democratic Alliance wants to see the report that was supposed to be presented.

“The Democratic Alliance would like to see the report that was meant to be tabled, and if it warrants an investigation, such as an investigation must follow,” he said.

Brink also questioned why the meeting was called if there was no report ready.

He said it is suspicious to call a meeting aimed at discussing allegations against a senior official and then end it without presenting any evidence.

Pictured above: City of Tshwane chief financial officer Gareth Mnisi

Image source: Supplied