Murder of forensic audit chief sparks demands for transparency in Ekurhuleni
Following the killing of forensic audit chief Mpho Mafole, opposition parties demand transparency and immediate disclosure of findings on the R1.8 billion mobile chemical toilet tender.
The killing of the CoE’s divisional head for forensic audit, Mpho Mafole, has sparked outrage among political parties, with calls mounting for the city to release the report he was working on before his death.
Mafole, who was reportedly investigating irregularities linked to the city’s R1.8b mobile chemical toilet tender, was murdered under mysterious circumstances, raising concerns about corruption and political interference.
Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza said the city had been co-operating with law enforcement agencies investigating Mafole’s death.
ALSO READ: Killed audit head of Ekurhuleni remembered
“We have provided everything we have to law enforcement. Ekurhuleni remains steadfast in its dedication to good governance, accountability and ethical administration,” said Xhakaza.
In a statement issued on November 3, DA Ekurhuleni caucus leader Clr Brandon Pretorius said the party would invoke the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to obtain the report compiled by Mafole.
He added that the DA had previously written to Xhakaza, requesting that the report be tabled at the October council meeting, but he ignored the request.
“This, coupled with the mayor’s refusal to table the report, casts a dark shadow over the city and raises concerns as to the depth of the rot that has taken root in Ekurhuleni,” Pretorius said.
The DA maintains that Mafole’s work must not be buried or silenced, insisting that the report be made public to honour his efforts in uncovering corruption in the municipality.
ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni welcomes arrest in murder case of senior official
Other opposition parties have echoed similar sentiments, calling for independent investigations into Mafole’s murder and alleged interference in police processes.
During the October council sitting, uMkhonto weSizwe Party members demonstrated outside council chambers, carrying placards demanding answers about Mafole’s death and calling for accountability and protection for whistle-blowers who expose wrongdoing in local government.
As calls for transparency intensify, all eyes remain on Xhakaza and the city to ensure that justice is served, not only for Mafole but for the integrity of public governance.
