A political storm continues to engulf the metro following the tabling of an investigative report at the Council meeting of November 27 into allegations involving deputy mayor Eugene Modise and a security contract awarded to Triotic Protection Services.

The controversy has provoked sharply contrasting interpretations from the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), the DA, and Modise himself, with each party offering its own version of events, motives, and implications for accountability and governance.

The FF Plus has taken a firm stance on the importance of the investigation, criticising the Council’s response to refer the report to a committee for a recommendation.

Caucus leader Grandi Theunissen expressed his strong dissatisfaction with the decision to avoid taking immediate action.

He rejected the referral of the report to a committee: “We view it as a political tactic and delay strategy by the ruling coalition to protect the deputy mayor. The law is clear: in cases of sustained breaches, the report should be referred to the MEC at the provincial level with a recommendation for dismissal immediately after the forensic investigation.”

He stated further: “The FF Plus views the findings in the investigative report with the utmost seriousness. We are strongly opposed to the Council’s decision to appoint a committee as it serves only to prolong the process, obscure the findings, and thereby avoid accountability. We are committed to upholding principles of good governance, accountability and transparency, and will ensure that these matters are handled with the necessary urgency and fairness.”

He maintained that the report raises more questions than it answers.

As Theunissen explained: “We acknowledge the concerns regarding the verifiability of some allegations and the incompleteness of the forensic investigation. We stress, however, that the law requires an arm’s-length relationship between a public representative and any company conducting business with the municipality. What is undeniable is the deputy mayor’s admission to the investigators that he failed to declare his interests properly.”

The FF Plus further condemned the irregular extensions of the Triotic contract, which, as reported in the forensic report, resulted in R170-million in irregular expenditure.

“This type of irregularity is totally unacceptable and a serious breach of our fiscal responsibility,” Theunissen said.

The party insists that only maximum disciplinary action, including removal from office, will restore public trust.

“To regain the public’s confidence, accountability must be enforced regardless of the political position of those involved,” he said.

The DA has articulated a sharply accusatory stance, asserting that the investigative report confirms unlawful conduct.

The DA Tshwane Caucus Chief Whip, Jacqui Uys, issued a detailed statement announcing the party’s intention to pursue criminal charges of fraud against Modise.

She stated: “The investigative report tabled confirmed that deputy mayor Eugene Modise unlawfully benefits from a contract between the municipality and Triotic Protection Services.”

According to Uys, the findings produced by Ncube Incorporated demonstrate repeated violations of the Code of Conduct.

“The investigative report confirms that Modise is in continual breach of the Code of Conduct for councillors, which holds that a councillor cannot benefit from a contract with the municipality.”

Uys argued that Modise failed to declare or divest his interests when elected in 2023, despite Triotic holding a multimillion-rand contract.

“In the meantime, Tshwane [metro] has twice extended its contract with Triotic without following tender procedures, incurring at least R170-million in irregular expenditure.”

Uys further noted that Modise’s claim of selling his shares was unsubstantiated.

“Modise told investigators that he had sold his shares in Triotic by means of an instalment sales agreement. But he could not produce documentary proof. Even if such an agreement existed, the beneficial interest had not passed to a new owner.”

Uys emphasised that Modise also benefits from rental income linked to the company premises.

She confirmed that the DA will escalate the matter independently.

“The DA has informed the Tshwane Speaker that we do not regard the report as confidential and will use it to lodge a criminal case against Modise with the South African Police Service.”

She said the party also believes the report provided sufficient grounds for Modise’s removal to be recommended to the Gauteng MEC for Local Government.

In stark contrast to the FF Plus and DA, deputy mayor Eugene Modise insisted to Rekord that the allegations are baseless, politically motivated, and disproven by forensic findings.

In a formal response, Modise said: “I have responded to the report to the Speaker and Council. The allegations are lies and this is proven by the forensic report. The matter is now with the Speaker and it is still in committee.”

Modise maintains that he fully complied with legal requirements when entering office.

“I have resigned from the company when I became a councillor, and it is proven by the investigation and the databases of the Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), formerly CIPRO. The contract was awarded way before I became a councillor.”

On the DA’s possible opening of a fraud case, Modise said: “They have lost their case in Council to debate the report in open council and opening a criminal case is just a futile exercise.”

Modise added that political actors have shifted narratives throughout the process.

“Remember, they started by saying the executive mayor was protecting me and did not want to institute the investigation while she actually in reality summoned the forensic investigation. They also said the Speaker did not want to table the report. When he brought it to table on November 27, the DA then did not want it tabled and fought with delaying tactics for more than five hours with several requests to hold a caucus meeting during the council meeting.”

Modise also pointed out that regarding the Triotic contract, it was awarded through a court.

He argued that this shows political manipulation by delaying tactics rather than genuine accountability. Finally, Modise asserted that he will seek legal redress.

“I am suing for malicious damage to my reputation because I have been presented as a criminal who has been involved in corruption.”

Questions were posed to the Speaker, but answers have not been received by the time of publication.

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