Tshwane Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise hits back at DA's motion of no confidence

Tshwane Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise, who doubles as MMC for Finance, has hit back at the DA’s call for his removal from office, saying that their efforts to oust him will be unsuccessful.

The DA alleged that Modise failed to disclose his interest in Triotic Protection Services, a security company that is doing business with the municipality.

DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink has filed a motion of no confidence against Modise as the deputy mayor.

The office of Speaker of Council Mncedi Ndzwanana on Tuesday confirmed receipt of the motion and announced it will be tabled during the council's ordinary meeting on October 30, 2025.

Ndzwanana also recently confirmed receiving a forensic report investigating allegations that Modise failed to disclose his interest in a security company contracted by the municipality. 

He said he is seeking legal advice on the report before presenting it to the council for consideration.

Brink said the DA had seen an investigative report, which allegedly revealed that Modise failed to disclose his interests in Triotic Protection Services when he was elected as a councillor in February 2023. 

He said: “Modise continues to benefit from this contract. He has told investigators that he sold his shares by means of an instalment sale agreement, but this still constitutes a financial interest in the company. He could also not produce a copy of the supposed sale agreement.”

He added that, besides non-disclosure, Modise's failure to divest his interests in Triotic constitutes a serious breach of the councillors' Code of Conduct.

“In terms of the Code of Conduct for councillors in the Municipal Systems Act, councillors cannot benefit from contracts with the municipality. If this rule is important for councillors, it is essential for a Finance MMC, the councillor with executive responsibility for the supply chain management division of the municipality,” Brink said.

When contacted for comment, Modise said he had cooperated with the forensic investigation. 

He accused Brink of "struggling with nostalgia" and attempting to overshadow the administration's one-year achievements.

He said the DA has lost touch with the community “and our work is a pain in the chest”.

“The Speaker will table the report in council and unfortunately council cannot be run by videos and social media. They will forever file motions of no confidence and they will fail like they attempted with the Speaker,” he said.

He labelled the DA as a party of “racists who cannot live with the fact that the current government is led by Africans”.

Regarding the contract awarded to Triotic, he said: “I have stated at the onset that the contract was awarded long before I became a councilor, not even Deputy Mayor, and it was awarded through a court and was in compliance with the city's requirements.”

Modise resigned from Triotic, a company owned by his mother, Nelly Modise, and directed by Neo Mafodi, allegedly the mother of his child. 

The DA has also lodged a complaint with Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, alleging that the city awarded a multi-million rand tender to a company with a questionable tax compliance status.

The company had a judgment against it for unpaid taxes, totalling R59 million over five years.

DA caucus leader Jacqui Uys had previously revealed that Triotic Protection Services, despite owing SARS R59 million, was appointed to Tshwane's Watchman Services Panel and awarded a R49 million security tender by the Gauteng Health Department.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za