How Sars descended on Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi

Share current article via EmailShare current article via FacebookShare current article via TwitterShare current article via LinkedInIsaac MahlanguSenior reporter

Opens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandTshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi’s office was raided by more than a dozen Sars officials. File photo. Image: Mavunda © Business Day Story audio is generated using AI

More than a dozen officials from the South African Revenue Service (Sars) spent less than half an hour on a search and seizure operation in the office of City of Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi on Thursday morning.

The officials, clad in Sars-branded clothing, descended on Tshwane House, requesting access to Mnisi’s office for their operation.

Mnisi’s laptop and his mobile phone were among the personal gadgets that were confiscated during the raid before the officials left Tshwane House with the CFO apparently going to his residential property.

“There were about 14 officials from Sars that conducted the raid which was done within 30 minutes,” an insider said.

The operation was swift and limited to Mnisi’s office, according to an eyewitness.

Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo could only confirm the raid and would not comment any further.

Mnisi came under the spotlight earlier this year when it emerged that he owned multiple luxury vehicles.

His fleet of luxury vehicles included two Porsches, including a 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo worth R6m, two Range Rovers and two BMWs, among others.

The Sars raid comes barely three months after he returned to office after he was slapped with a warning following a suspension after his testimony at the Madlanga commission of inquiry earlier this year.

Sars declined to share any details about its operation.

“Given the Chapter 6 provisions of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011 on the prohibition of disclosure of confidential taxpayer information, Sars would neither confirm nor deny that it conducted operations against the taxpayer [Mnisi],” said Sars spokesperson Siphithi Sibeko on Thursday afternoon.

Mnisi could not be reached telephonically for comment on Thursday.

Earlier this year, a forensic report commissioned by the City of Tshwane stopped short of finding Mnisi guilty of financial misconduct, despite identifying procurement irregularities and recommending disciplinary action against him.

The report follows allegations that emerged during testimony before the Madlanga commission of inquiry into political interference, criminality and corruption, where he appeared in March.

While investigators identified several breaches of municipal rules and procurement processes, they found no evidence of impropriety by Mnisi, whose sanction was a final warning, a move which the Democratic Alliance opposed.

The report found that Mnisi failed to declare directorships in companies and his role as a trustee and beneficiary of the Mnisi Family Trust during the 2024/25 financial year.

Investigators also concluded that he failed to disclose his relationship with Ngaphesheya Construction and Projects, amounting to a breach of clause 5A of Schedule 2 of the Code of Conduct for Municipal Staff Members and clause 15(2)(e) of the City’s Supply Chain Management Policy.

Mnisi was further found to have taken no action against director of performance management Victor Kgopa, who chaired a bid evaluation committee, despite concerns that his conduct could be viewed as compromising the integrity of the procurement process.

On the issue of unpaid invoices, the report found that Mnisi failed to refer Tshwane Metro Police Department deputy commissioner Umashi Dlamini to the chief of police after Dlamini shared Gubi 585’s invoice with disgraced former police officer, Fannie Nkosi.

He was also found to have failed to prevent Nkosi from becoming involved in the city’s internal affairs.

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