Yolande Faro, the chief of the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD), has described herself as “shocked and dismayed” following the emergence of systemic corruption and tender rigging within the agency. Testifying before the Madlanga Commission, Faro admitted that the scale of the alleged criminal activity suggests a coordinated effort to defraud the department rather than simple administrative irregularities.
The revelations come as the commission examines how senior officials allegedly colluded with external service providers to manipulate the procurement process, ensuring contracts were awarded to preferred companies. Faro stated that while she had previously observed certain red flags and initiated corrective steps, the full extent of the “criminal systems” designed to siphon money from the TMPD only became clear to her over the past week.
The fallout has already led to high-level disciplinary actions. In March, the TMPD’s deputy chief, Umashi Dhlamini, was suspended after evidence emerged at the commission that he had colluded with Sergeant Fannie Nkosi to manipulate tenders. Faro confirmed she has since instituted disciplinary measures against other individuals implicated in the testimony.
Yolande Faro, Chief of the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) will be testifying today at the Madlanga Commission. TCG pic.twitter.com/m9qeotLx2S
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 7, 2026
Systemic Siphoning and ‘Criminal Systems’
During her testimony, Faro distinguished between minor procedural errors and the organized nature of the corruption currently under review. She noted that the activities—whether they occurred before her tenure or during it—pointed to a deliberate architecture for theft.
“Recently. I have observed certain things within the TMPD, which has led me to take certain corrective steps and, where necessary, consequence management is in progress,” Faro testified. “However, over the past week, I have come to learn with great shock and dismay [about] what was apparently taking place in the TMPD… It is not, it would seem issues of irregularities, but clear systems of siphoning of money and criminal activities.”
The commission has been presented with evidence of significant financial leakage. This includes reports of a security company receiving R59 million from the TMPD, as well as instances where officers absconded following the unauthorized approval of private security tenders.
The Security Clearance Gap
A critical point of contention during the hearings was the lack of proper vetting for top-tier leadership. Faro revealed that several senior officers, including some of her four deputies, do not possess “top-level security clearance.”
These clearances are managed by the State Security Agency (SSA) and involve a rigorous process to ensure the integrity of officials handling sensitive state information. The vetting process typically includes:
- Comprehensive lifestyle audits to detect unexplained wealth.
- Detailed background checks.
- Polygraph tests.
- Interviews with former colleagues and associates.
When questioned on why deputies were serving in high-ranking positions without these mandatory clearances, Faro admitted to a lapse in oversight. “Commissioner, that is one of the things that we have to sharpen up. I think we must be honest when we come to this commission. Maybe we have taken it for granted,” she said. She noted that when she applied for her own position with the City of Tshwane, security clearance was a compulsory requirement listed in the job advertisement.
Impact and Accountability
The corruption revelations within the TMPD have significant implications for public trust and the allocation of municipal resources. When tender processes are rigged, the quality of essential services—such as private security and infrastructure maintenance—can be compromised, while taxpayer funds are diverted into private pockets.
| Event/Action | Detail |
|---|---|
| March 2026 | Deputy Chief Umashi Dhlamini suspended for tender manipulation. |
| March 24, 2026 | Details emerge regarding R59 million payment to a security firm. |
| March 25, 2026 | Reports of a TMPD officer absconding over unauthorized tender approval. |
| April 7, 2026 | Chief Yolande Faro testifies before the Madlanga Commission. |
The “consequence management” mentioned by Faro suggests that the department is moving toward a phase of internal purges and legal referrals. However, the admission that security clearances were “taken for granted” highlights a systemic vulnerability that may have allowed the alleged corruption to flourish undetected for years.
What Happens Next
The Madlanga Commission continues to hear evidence regarding the collusion between senior TMPD officials and private service providers. The focus is expected to shift toward the specific mechanisms used to bypass procurement laws and the identification of all beneficiaries of the rigged contracts.
The next phase of the proceedings will likely involve further testimony from the implicated service providers and a review of the SSA’s vetting failures within the department. Official updates on the commission’s findings will be released as the hearings conclude and the final report is submitted to the relevant municipal and provincial authorities.
This represents a developing story. We invite our readers to share their thoughts in the comments section or send us tips regarding municipal governance.
Disclaimer: This article reports on ongoing legal proceedings and allegations. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
