House fit for metro king

23 July 2015 - 02:02 By Sipho Masombuka

The public protector is investigating allegations of corruption against the deputy chief of Tshwane metro police, after it emerged he is building a multimillion-rand mansion in Pretoria. Umashi Dhlamini, who is believed to earn about R60000 a month, has built a palatial home valued at about R10-million in Heatherdale, Pretoria North.According to information from Thuli Madonsela's office in April last year, his fortunes improved after Harama Security Services was awarded three contracts amounting to R60-million.The company is owned by his sister-in-law, Hellen Malema.The contracts with Harama are said to have been first awarded in 2009 and were renewed in 2013.Madonsela's spokesman, Kgalalelo Masibi, said the office was also investigating whether Rivongo Security Services, which is also contracted toTshwane municipality, is owned by Dhlamini's niece."The public protector is also investigating whether Dhlamini is using these monies, allegedly earned irregularly from these tenders awarded by the City of Tshwane through Harama and Rivongo Security Services, to finance the building of his house in Pretoria," Masibi said.Dhlamini had not responded to questions sent to him by The Times at the time of going to press, despite promising to do so initially.Madonsela's office said specifications for the tenders were drawn up by the Tshwane metro police department.This, the office said, might have given Harama and Rivongo an unfair advantage over other bidders as they would have been privy to inside information via Dhlamini.Both company directors did not declare their relationship with Dhlamini as required by supply- chain management regulations.Tshwane municipality spokes-man Selby Bokaba said Dhlamini could not have influenced the granting of the tenders as "he was not part of the bid adjudication committee or in the drafting of the contract specifications". He said the municipality's supply-chain management was not aware of the public protector's probe.Madonsela's office said the Tshwane council had failed to provide it with documents it had requested. Masibi said the report into the investigation should be released in October...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.