By Jacqui Uys
DA Tshwane Spokesperson for Finance
The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with astonishment that MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Eugene Modise, today addressed the media on the City of Tshwane’s implementation of an anti-corruption supply chain management system.
The irony could not be greater.
According to the City’s own forensic investigation, Modise was found guilty of financially benefitting from Triotic Protection Services, a service provider that continues to receive approximately R3 million per month from the City of Tshwane. Despite these findings, the ANC-EFF-ActionSA coalition chose to impose little more than a slap on the wrist by docking his salary for only two months—amounting to a penalty of approximately R200 000—while the underlying financial relationship with the service provider continues.
For a coalition that claims to be serious about rooting out corruption, this sends a dangerous message: those implicated in benefiting from City contractors can remain in office, continue overseeing governance matters and even position themselves as champions of anti-corruption.
The concerns surrounding Modise extend well beyond the Triotic matter.
His name has also emerged during proceedings before the Madlanga Commission, and the DA has made detailed submissions to the Commission outlining links of his possible involvement in broader corruption networks allegedly linked to the City’s water tanker contracts, waste management operations and security mafia.
Rather than ensuring these serious allegations are subjected to rigorous investigation, the ANC-EFF-ActionSA coalition has consistently acted to protect Modise.
The Speaker of Council has failed even to acknowledge the DA’s request for an investigation into these allegations, demonstrating a complete disregard for Council’s oversight responsibilities.
This continued inaction raises serious questions about the coalition’s commitment to accountability and clean governance.
Today’s spectacle was made even more hypocritical by ActionSA’s Executive Mayor standing alongside Modise while proclaiming the City’s commitment to fighting corruption.
One cannot credibly claim to wage war on corruption while simultaneously shielding individuals facing serious allegations and adverse forensic findings.
The DA will be writing to the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to request intervention regarding the Speaker’s failure to process and act upon the DA’s request for an investigation into Modise’s alleged involvement in corruption networks.
The people of Tshwane deserve a government that acts decisively against corruption, regardless of political convenience.
Instead, they are witnessing a coalition that appears more interested in protecting politically connected individuals than protecting public funds.
Should Cilliers Brink return as Executive Mayor following the events of 4 November, the DA will prioritise dismantling the corruption networks that have captured key areas of municipal service delivery.
These corruption syndicates continue to drain public resources, undermine honest governance and deprive the residents of Tshwane of the reliable services they deserve.
The DA remains committed to transparent, accountable government and will continue exposing corruption wherever it occurs, irrespective of who is implicated.
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