Mapaballo Borotho
Gauteng police have launched an investigation into the murder of Mpho Mafole, the Head of Forensic Audits at the City of Ekurhuleni.
Mafole was fatally shot on Sunday evening while driving along the R23 in Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg.
According to police, Mafole was attacked by unknown suspects. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear at this stage and forms part of an ongoing investigation.
The City of Ekurhuleni has expressed sadness at the tragic loss and has pledged its full cooperation with law enforcement authorities during the investigation.
City spokesperson Pakamile Mbengashe said counselling services will be provided to colleagues affected by Mafole’s passing.
“We understand this news may cause distress among employees. The City remains committed to maintaining a safe and secure working environment. All security protocols remain in place, and additional support will be made available to staff during this difficult time,” Mbengashe added.
Mafole’s murder adds to a concerning trend in South Africa, where auditors and whistleblowers have increasingly become targets of violence while carrying out their duties.
Andile Matshaya, an internal auditor for the Department of Transport, was strangled to death in his Pietermaritzburg hotel room while investigating a corruption case. Zweli Duma, an internal auditor for the Nongoma Municipality, was fatally shot at his home.
In another high-profile case, Babita Deokaran, who was both a senior official and whistleblower, was gunned down outside her Johannesburg home.
Deokaran was acting Chief Director of Financial Accounting at the Gauteng Department of Health and had been reporting on corruption within the department.
These cases have raised serious concerns about the safety of public servants committed to fighting corruption in South Africa.
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