Tshwane will commission an independent investigation into allegations surrounding the deputy mayor’s alleged conflict of interest involving a contract awarded to a company previously linked to him.

Pretoria Rekord reports the DA has called for a forensic investigation into a security tender that appointed a panel of security services to the metro.

The party also requested that the investigation be fast-tracked and presented to the metro’s Municipal Accounts Committee, and ultimately the council, to determine whether the tender was awarded fairly to Triotic Protection Services.

The DA further requested that the investigation determine whether Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise from the ANC has or is benefitting financially from this tender.

DA spokesperson for Finance Jacqui Uys said she wrote to the city manager in November 2024, raising concerns over Triotic Protection Services.

“This company was started by the deputy executive mayor Modise and is a service provider benefitting from the metro’s R300m-a-year security tender,” explained Uys.

She told Rekord that according to the party’s financial rescue strategy for the metro, the former coalition resolved that two areas of expenditure could be curtailed to allocate funds more effectively.

Uys said these included water tankers and security services, specifically the use of security guards.

The party believed taxpayers’ money could be better spent on infrastructure for water and improved technology rather than security guard services.

“When we were investigating the solutions to these two items of expenditure, we also took a look at the current services that are delivered,” said Uys.

According to her, the DA has since learned of links between the company and Modise’s family members, which might create a possible conflict of interest.

She added that another reason for concern was that Triotic Protection Services had a 2023 judgment against them for non-payment of R59m in taxes to SARS over five years.

“This raised concerns that Triotic Protection Services might not have had a tax clearance when submitting their bid and, therefore, would not have qualified to be awarded the tender,” said Uys.

She pointed out that the city’s security tender was flagged by the Auditor-General for non-compliance, as not all bid documents were submitted for auditing.

“This means they could not confirm if the winning bidders complied with bid requirements. The Auditor-General named Triotic Protection Services explicitly, setting off alarm bells.”

She added that at the time, it was unclear whether Modise still benefitted from the metro’s payments to Triotic Protection Services.

“What was known was that Triotic Protection Services was started as a CC [Closed Corporation] by Eugene Thipe Modise with 50% ownership. The company was later converted into a Pty (Ltd), with Modise as director. Modise remained director until March 1, 2023, just after he became an ANC councillor, when he resigned as director, and the company’s HR manager, Neo Mafodi, was appointed as director,” said Uys.

“These are the reasons the DA demands, in the best interest of the citizens of Tshwane, a forensic investigation into Tender TMPD 02-2016/2017,” concluded Uys.

The metro said it had noted the allegations made by Uys regarding a possible conflict of interest in a contract awarded to a company previously linked to Modise.

A media release stated it was crucial to clarify that the contract in question was awarded during the 2016/17 financial year under a previous administration. This was before Modise assumed office as a councillor in February 2023 and before his election as deputy mayor in October 2024.

Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya said she has engaged with the deputy mayor regarding the allegations to ensure full compliance with governance and ethical standards.

“He informed me that upon becoming a councillor in 2023, he resigned as a director of the company and stepped away from any involvement in its operations. He further informed me that he no longer has any financial or managerial ties to the company and does not benefit from it in any way,” said Moya.

She said that while she has accepted his submission, the metro will commission an independent investigation to address the allegations thoroughly.

Modise fully supports the investigation.

Moya confirmed the multi-party administration remains committed to good governance, accountability, and the rule of law. If any irregularities are uncovered, the metro will follow due process and take appropriate action.

“We strongly caution against unfounded allegations intended to distract from the urgent work of governing Tshwane. Political point-scoring should not be allowed to derail the progress we are making in restoring stability, service delivery, and financial sustainability. The residents of Tshwane deserve a government focused on real solutions, and we will continue to serve with integrity and transparency,” she said.

Modise has been approached for comment, but none was received by publication.

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