Umashi Samson Dhlamini (also spelled Dlamini) is a South African law enforcement professional who rose to the position of Deputy Chief of the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD). He became one of the most talked-about public servants in South Africa in 2026 when he was called to testify before the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry a commission established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2025 to investigate alleged corruption in the criminal justice system.
He first gained public prominence when suspended SAPS officer Fannie Nkosi implicated him in alleged tender manipulation connected to security contracts in the City of Tshwane. Dhlamini voluntarily requested his suspension to allow for an uninterrupted investigation and appeared before the commission to deny all wrongdoing a move that was described as “quite unusual” by the commission’s evidence leader.
He is known for his long career in Tshwane metro policing, his background in student activism in Soshanguve, and his central role in the politically charged Madlanga Commission hearings of 2026.
Profile
| Full Name | Umashi Samson Dhlamini |
| Born | c. 1984 |
| Birthplace | Soshanguve, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Occupation | Law Enforcement; Former Deputy Chief, Tshwane Metro Police Department |
Early Life
Umashi Samson Dhlamini was born around 1984 in Soshanguve, a township in the Pretoria area of Gauteng Province, South Africa. Growing up in Soshanguve during the final years of apartheid and the turbulent early years of South African democracy shaped his worldview and instilled in him a strong community identity. He attended Entokozweni Primary School in Soshanguve. As a young man, he became involved in his family’s taxi business from around 1996, gaining practical insight into community logistics and local economics. He was also active in student politics, a chapter of his life that would later become relevant when he testified about former student activist acquaintances at the Madlanga Commission. He has described knowing key figures in his current controversy including Sergeant Fannie Nkosi since their school days together in Soshanguve.
Education
Specific details about Umashi Dhlamini’s tertiary education and formal qualifications are not widely published. His professional career in the metro police force suggests relevant law enforcement training and institutional development within the TMPD structure.
Career
Umashi Dhlamini rose through the ranks of the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) over many years, eventually reaching the senior position of Deputy Chief, where he was responsible for Division Support and Administration. In this role, he oversaw the department’s finance and administrative functions. He testified that he intervened to facilitate payment for security company Gubis 85 Solutions after the company had six months of unpaid invoices, saying the CFO had requested his intervention to avoid a court attachment of City of Tshwane accounts. His testimony before the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry began in April 2026. He voluntarily requested his suspension from the TMPD following allegations, which was approved by TMPD Commissioner Yolande Faro. He was eventually cleared in internal disciplinary proceedings and stated no disciplinary case remains pending against him.
Social Media
Umashi Dhlamini does not maintain a notable public social media presence. His visibility is almost entirely through media coverage of the Madlanga Commission proceedings.
Personal Life
Umashi Dhlamini is married. He has mentioned his wife in the context of offering marital counseling to friends, including his long-time acquaintance Sergeant Fannie Nkosi. He maintains that his relationship with Nkosi is brotherly and personal, stemming from their shared childhood in Soshanguve, and denies that it had any bearing on professional decisions. His family is connected to the taxi industry in Soshanguve. He emphasized throughout his commission testimony that he has never received any payments, benefits, or gifts directly or indirectly in connection with the allegations made against him.
Net Worth
Umashi Dhlamini’s net worth is not publicly known. As a senior municipal police official, his income would be in line with City of Tshwane public service salary scales for senior officials.
FAQs
Q: Who is Umashi Dhlamini?
Q: Why was Umashi Dhlamini suspended?
Q: Was Umashi Dhlamini found guilty?
Conclusion
Umashi Dhlamini’s story sits at the intersection of municipal governance, political interference allegations, and institutional integrity in post-apartheid South Africa. His willingness to voluntarily step aside and testify openly speaks to a degree of accountability that is rare in South African public service, even as questions about his conduct remain unresolved pending the commission’s final findings.