Ekurhuleni auditor's murder raises safety concerns
Mafole was shot almost a week ago by unknown gunmen while on his way back home from work.
Slain Ekurhuleni municipality auditor Mpho Mafole laid to rest on Sunday, 6 July 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN.
JOHANNESBURG - Colleagues of slain Ekurhuleni municipality auditor Mpho Mafole say his murder highlights the dangers of the profession.
Mafole was shot almost a week ago by unknown gunmen while on his way back home from work.
At the time of his death, he was working on a high-profile forensic report looking into a two-billion-rand revenue shortfall linked to a massive electricity billing scandal in the Ekurhuleni metro.
Mafole was remembered by friends and family at a funeral service held at the Kempton Park Civic Centre on Sunday.
As a member of the South African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA), Mafole’s specialty was in fraud risk management.
His job included efforts to stop the looting of government funds.
Advocate Caroline Mampuru said that she hired Mafole back when she was heading up the forensic investigation unit of the Auditor General of South Africa.
“The journey of forensic investigators is riddled with many things, betrayal, intimidation, threats and assassinations. It didn’t start with Mpho; there are countless others who have been pushed out of their jobs and had to resign to save their lives.”
Other auditors who spoke at the funeral service described Mafole as a dedicated and patriotic public servant who lost his life for doing the right thing.