Xhakaza believes murder of City of Ekurhuleni auditor linked to his probe into missing R2bn
Despite having only worked in the city for just three months, Mpho Mafole and his team were probing a massive electricity billing scandal that cost the City of Ekurhuleni more than R2 billion.
FILE: City of Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza. Picture: Supplied/City of Ekurhuleni
JOHANNESBURG - Eyewitness News can reveal that Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza believes the murder of a senior auditor in the City of Ekurhuleni is linked to his investigation into the disappearance of R2 billion.
Despite having only worked in the city for just three months, Mpho Mafole and his team were probing a massive electricity billing scandal that cost the City of Ekurhuleni more than R2 billion.
Earlier this year, Eyewitness News exposed that more than 1,660 electricity accounts belonging to both households and businesses had been tampered with, some accounts were paying drastically reduced rates for electricity, while others were completely wiped from the system.
The city's chief information officer, Moloko Monyepao, was suspended in April for alleged negligence that allowed the shortfall to go undetected in the city’s systems.
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Speaking outside Mafole's home in Kempton Park on Thursday, Xhakaza revealed that Mafole had drafted a charge sheet for a suspended official believed to be part of a criminal syndicate.
"It's one thing to prepare a charge sheet for suspended officials and once you submit it, something happens. We don’t want to draw up linkages, but if you are involved in this type of work and you get shot, it can’t be random thing," said Xhakaza.
He added that it was difficult meeting the family without being able to divulge who they believe was responsible for Mafole’s murder.
"It’s painful to stand before the family and not give them the names of those who are responsible," he said.
Mafole’s family is still struggling to come to terms with his violent death. However, they believe it was directly tied to his investigation into municipal corruption.
A relative, Nomasonto Khasake, said Mafole had shared with them that he was making progress in uncovering serious corruption.
"We knew Mpho was working on something big. He was getting close to exposing corruption in the municipality," she said.
"The people who killed him knew what they were doing, they are clearly experts," she added.
She also revealed that Mafole had been returning home from a work-related meeting when he was shot near his home in Kempton Park.
"The people who killed him phoned him while he was driving. When he answered the phone, he was shot multiple times. His phone was left with bullet holes," she said.
Mafole is survived by two teenage children - Gontse (14) and Kgaugelo (16).
The siblings were overcome with emotion as their aunt recounted the horrifying details of their father’s murder.
Gontse broke down in tears, and a relative quickly stepped in to comfort her.
While police are still investigating, the city is now calling for the Hawks to take over the case.