On 13 May 2025 Major Phiri received R151,462.07 from BMW and R145,000 from We Buy Cars, using a loan from a friend to finance these transactions.
“On the 13th of May, I received R151462.07 payment from BMW. ... on the very same day I received R145000 from We Buy Cars. And on the very same day I received this money that I borrowed from this friend of mine.”
Mr Mnisi admitted that he was annoyed by the persistence of a friend pushing for an improper award, but took the approach to manage the friendship and play along without doing anything to facilitate improper conduct.
“I am annoyed because I was clear to that there is nothing I could do, ... So I play along intentionally, and that playing along and me entertaining him assists me, because this is the last time he ever raises this issue”
Mr Mnisi states that his choice to play along with the friendship was to avoid constant harassment over the issue.
“Had I not treated this man in the manner that I did, I would have been constantly bombarded with this issue over and over”
Mr Mnisi claims he played along with the persistent friend to avoid conflict and harassment, even though he knew he could not check compliance or facilitate an improper award.
“I stick to my guns that I cannot check for you, but I see the persistent nature. ... I was playing like a fool. Was it the smartest strategy to get out this conundrum? No, it was not. But did it assist me in the long run? It did”
The parent who forwarded the message was shocked because their child had not been invited to the fitness assessment, but a friend of their child had been.
“The parent was shocked that somebody else had been invited to do a fitness assessment, but their child had not.”
Lt-Gen Shibiri admits he got a benefit from a friend in the form of an interest-free loan.
“Ja, I got a benefit from a friend, yes.”
