SEDIBENG.– The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has rejected claims that its late employee, Martha Mani Rantsofu, was involved in whistleblowing plan of a R16 million tender in the municipality.
The municipality also urged the media and members of the public to stop circulating the unfiltered footage of the incident where its employee, Rantsofu was brutally shot dead on March 30.
Rantsofu, a Senior Clerk in the Finance and Revenue department of the ELM was murdered, execution style, in Vanderbijlpark on Monday, March 30, while at a tyre shop waiting for her car’s tyre to be fixed.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, ELM spokesperson, Makhosonke Sangweni said that the ELM is grief-stricken by the passing of Rantsofu, who was buried over the weekend.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Mani’s family, loved ones, colleagues and everyone affected by this devastating loss. While we fully support the public’s right to information and the important role of responsible journalism, we are shocked beyond belief that some media houses are deliberately publishing questionable claims, distorted facts, and sensationalised narratives with the aim of damaging the image of the municipality.”
“This reckless approach is causing far more harm than good.”
Sangweni added, “The municipality appeals for patience while we allow for preliminary findings from the South African Police Service (SAPS) to be tabled and not rely on gossips and lies. This reckless approach is causing far more harm than good. Beyond damaging the reputation of the municipality, the misinformation is causing unnecessary distress to our employees and their families, and creating confusion among the public.”
He urged the media to exercise increased accountability, verify their sources, and observe basic journalistic ethics before publishing stories that can cause irreversible damage.
“We are also aware of a self-avowed activist, Mpumelelo Mnisi, who propagates that our late colleague was about to give him internal information of corruption which we deem reckless and irresponsible, Mnisi must account and share whatever information with the police and stop spreading of rumours about Rantsofu and the municipality. The opportunistic tendencies by Mnisi are unethical and a far cry from being African,” said Sangweni.
“We categorically reject the claims that Rantsofu was involved in some whistleblowing”
In conclusion Sangweni said, “Accordingly we categorically reject the claims that Rantsofu was involved in some whistleblowing of a certain R16 million tenders in the municipality as this is not true and had nothing to do with her, or even the alleged tender irregularities.”
Gauteng PKTT takes over murder case
Meanwhile reports coming in on Monday said that the South African Police Services (SAPS Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) has been roped in to help in the investigation of the case.
Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed to Sedibeng Ster that the matter will indeed be investigated by Gauteng PTTK.
Nevhuhulwi said that the police are investigating a case of murder Rantsofu was gunned down in Vanderbijlpark on March 30.
“According to information received, the woman was at a local tyre shop waiting for her tyre puncture to be fixed when an unknown man suddenly emerged from nowhere and fired several shots at her before fleeing the scene. The victim identified as an employee of Emfuleni local municipality was declared dead on the scene.”
The motive of the shooting is subject to police investigations.
