Suspended Tshwane official ignored directive to cancel shady contracts

The suspended director of Tshwane’s Asset Protection Security (APS) Unit, Tshukudu Malatji, has admitted to ignoring an instruction from his superior to cancel dubious contractual work awarded to private security companies.

This was despite Malatji being awarded the contracts that were costing the city millions of rands.

Malatji testified at the Madlanga Commission on Thursday to touch on the corruption that took place in his unit.

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Tshwane’s APS Unit works with private companies to guard some of the city’s critical infrastructure.

When Deputy Chief Revo Spies took over the unit, he noticed it was exceeding its allocated budget.

This was due to security companies being awarded unnecessary ad-hoc work and then invoicing the city millions of rands.

Spies then sent an email to Malatji to stop all ad-hoc work; however, Malatji did not follow through.

Co-commissioner Sandile Khumalo asked, “So you didn’t comply with this instruction in its entirety?”

Malatji responded, “Yes, because this instruction in my view was inclusive of those that didn’t have a problem. I am aware of the commissioner saying what about these that were awarded irregularly. I think there I had an oversight.”

Tshukudu has been suspended with full pay and benefits since July.

MALATJI DENIES DELEGATING JUNIOR TO AUTHORISE CONTRACT WORK
 
At the same time, Malatji denied delegating a junior employee to authorise contract work for private security companies.
 
It was established at the Madlanga Commission that inspector Lebogang Phiri, who’s also based at the APS Unit, signed off on contracts without the necessary authorisation.
 
Malatji said Phiri didn’t have the authority to do this.
 
“It’s myself who is authorised or I can, with instruction, allow Dr Madihlaba or Phiri or any other [person] to say, 'allocate the work'.”
 
Asked co-commissioner Sandile Khulamo: “In January and February 2025, did you issue such an instruction to Phiri and Madihlaba?”
 
Responded Malatji, “I did not, commissioner.”
 
Inspector Phiri is due to testify before the commission on 20 April 2026.