Madlanga Commission: Mnisi's lawyer concerned he's not being granted sufficient time

Lawyers representing the City of Tshwane’s suspended Chief Financial Officer, Gareth Mnisi, have formally complained that their client is not being granted sufficient time to address questions before the Madlanga Commission.

Mnisi is currently providing his third day of testimony. The proceedings have been marked by repeated friction between the suspended CFO, the evidence leaders, and the commissioners, who have expressed frustration with his lengthy responses.

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During Tuesday's session, Mnisi’s legal representative, Annalene van den Heever, accused the commission of attempting to silence her client.

“We believe that to put to the witness that he is wasting the time of the commission in the manner in which he answers is unfair on the witness,” Van den Heever argued. “To edit his responses is equally unfair. At the end of the day, of course, you are entitled to disagree with what he is saying; that is accepted.”

Commission Chairperson, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, maintained that Mnisi has consistently provided unnecessary explanations for straightforward questions. He emphasised that the commission is operating under strict time constraints to finalise its mandate.

Madlanga clarified his stance on the witness's conduct.

“It cannot be that all the time you must explain. Having explained to Mr Mnisi that you [cannot] explain all your answers... it was in that context I made that point that we have limited time. I understand where you are coming from, but I will never agree that Mr Mnisi will be given a free hand to explain even where it is not necessary.”

The chairperson noted that while the commission had been patient during the initial probing, a boundary had to be set.

“I will be the first person that allows him to explain when that is necessary... but we must reach a point where we say, ‘Mr. Mnisi, you cannot explain each and every response you give,’” Madlanga concluded.