Tshwane deputy executive mayor Eugene Modise faces a motion of no confidence over allegations that a security company he founded continues to do business with the city.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has filed the motion against Modise, questioning his fitness to hold office and saying it has lost confidence in his ability to serve the residents of Tshwane and maintain public trust.
The motion, seen by TimesLIVE, was submitted in terms of section 18 of the city’s rules and orders bylaws and section 58 of the Municipal Structures Act, which empowers the council to remove a mayor or deputy mayor from office.
A report by the Sunday Times previously revealed that a security company founded by Modise — Triotic Protection Services — which guards more than two dozen public properties, had its multimillion-rand contract extended while the public protector investigates possible irregularities in the tender process.
Triotic guards 25 sites across Tshwane, including substations, sports facilities and water-treatment plants. After its three-year contract expired in February, the company’s scope was expanded and renewed monthly, pending finalisation of a new tender process.
Modise, who also serves as finance member of the mayoral committee, is expected to return as the ANC’s Tshwane regional chair at a conference later this month.
An internal city investigation found Modise may have continued to benefit financially from Triotic, despite resigning as a director more than two years ago. The probe was launched by mayor Nasiphi Moya earlier this year after the DA raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest.
Triotic is now in its fourth year of doing business with the city, and its scope has been expanded to include additional sites, significantly increasing its monthly payments.
The public protector’s office confirmed that it is investigating the contract following a complaint filed by DA finance spokesperson Jacqui Uys in March. Acting spokesperson Ndili Msoki said the probe remains ongoing.
Uys told the Sunday Times that she approached the public protector after losing confidence in the mayor’s handling of the matter.
“We went to the public protector because the mayor did not answer our questions about terms of reference, and we were concerned that the mayor was not treating this situation with the urgency and seriousness it needed,” Uys said.
The DA in Tshwane first raised concerns about Triotic in February after discovering that the company’s registered address was Modise’s mother’s home in Mabopane. The party also found that the address on company registration records was a house owned by Modise, who had not reported to council whether he had sold or transferred his shareholding.
A long-time employee of Triotic became director of the company when Modise resigned in February 2023, shortly after becoming a councillor.
During an ongoing audit, the auditor-general reportedly raised concerns about Triotic’s appointment.
A service-level agreement, signed in April 2022 and seen by the Sunday Times, lists Modise as the company’s representative. It also requires Triotic to notify the city in writing of any changes in shareholding or directorship.
The city’s budget for security services for the 2025/26 financial year stands at R565.4 million.
The motion of no confidence is expected to be debated in the city council within two weeks.
