Mettler dodges 21 allegations — but Adam probe leaves fresh cloud over Tshwane city manager

The sweeping forensic investigation into City of Tshwane city manager Johann Mettler has largely cleared him of allegations ranging from the appointment of senior officials and the handling of disciplinary matters to the controversial R1bn labour settlement, millions paid to suspended officials and the catastrophic Rooiwal wastewater crisis.

But the 398-page investigation found that Mettler’s handling of allegations that senior city official Ashraf Adam had failed to disclose previous disciplinary proceedings and his departure from a former employer raised a separate governance concern.

While investigators found that Mettler could not be held responsible for approving Adam’s appointment because he had relied on a screening process that reported no adverse disciplinary information, they found that the city manager’s conduct after allegations against Adam came to his attention required further scrutiny.

The report, compiled by Motsoeneng Bill Incorporated and dated August 22 2026, was prepared for the Tshwane council after an investigation conducted under the disciplinary regulations for senior managers.

The investigation was conducted under the guidance of Lindi Nkosi-Thomas SC, who provided oversight, review and substantive advisory input during the process.

They included claims involving the irregular appointment of Adam, allegations surrounding metro police deputy chief Revo Spies, the alleged suppression of SIU findings relating to Rooiwal, the dismissal of 44 workers and the resulting alleged R1bn liability, about R37m paid to suspended officials, alleged defiance of arbitration awards, contempt of court, the Rooiwal water crisis and alleged failures relating to lifestyle audits.

Yet the report’s overall conclusion is markedly less damaging to Mettler than the breadth of the allegations might suggest.

The investigators said the evidence did not support a general conclusion that the serious institutional, governance and operational deficiencies raised in the allegations were attributable to misconduct by the city manager.

“The investigation does not support a general conclusion that the serious institutional, governance and operational deficiencies identified in the allegations are attributable to misconduct by Mr Mettler.”

They made it clear that clearing Mettler personally did not mean the problems identified in Tshwane’s administration could simply be forgotten.

One issue was singled out as the principal adverse finding against him.

“The principal adverse finding requiring council’s consideration concerns Mr Mettler’s failure to table before council the allegation concerning Mr Adam after the relevant information came to his attention.”

The prescribed application form completed by Adam asked whether he had previously been dismissed for misconduct or resigned while disciplinary proceedings were pending.

The forensic investigation subsequently found that information available to the city indicated that Adam had failed to disclose his previous employment with the department of public works, as well as disciplinary proceedings and a mutual separation agreement connected to that employment.