Sergeant Fannie Nkosi has once again caused a stir at the Madlanga Commission after WhatsApp messages revealed his claim that criminal accused Vusimuzi Cat Matlala may have met with Deputy President Paul Mashatile. Last week, the commission heard Nkosi suggest that Action SA, EFF, and the ANC were benefiting from the alleged rigging of tenders at the City of Tshwane.
Nkosi has repeatedly dropped names without context, and this time, when questioned, he failed to provide clarity.
“I would not want to be in his mind. I’m thinking he wanted his card because he wanted to use it,” Nkosi said when Evidence Leader Mathew Chasckolson challenged him about his testimony, in which he claimed that Matlala told him he urgently needed a card to meet with Mashatile and later, suspended Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
Nkosi’s name-dropping and the unusual mislabelling of contacts in his phone book have sparked tensions in political circles, creating the impression that he and the City of Tshwane were rigging tenders to benefit political parties in the city’s coalition government.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile swiftly denied Nkosi’s claim.
“Deputy President Mashatile categorically denies the claims. Significantly, he does not know the individuals referenced in the testimony and has never had any association or dealings with them. Even more importantly, he was out of the country at the time Mr. Matlala allegedly met or intended to meet with him,” said Mashatile’s office.
The deputy president has expressed his willingness to cooperate with the commission.
“Deputy President Mashatile categorically rejects Sergeant Nkosi’s claims and is prepared to cooperate fully with the Madlanga Commission should it require any clarity or assistance,” the statement continued.
After six days on the stand—the longest testimony in the commission’s history—Nkosi concluded his appearance, though the commission warned it might call him back for further questioning.