Suspended Ekurhuleni official threatens legal action against Xhakaza over alleged defamation
Moloko Monyepao alleges that the Ekurhuleni mayor has unwittingly implicated him in the murder of slain senior municipal auditor Mpho Mafole.
Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza at an emergency meeting following violent protests in Tembisa over soaring electricity tariffs on 21 July 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The City of Ekurhuleni’s suspended chief information officer (CIO), Moloko Monyepao, is threatening legal action against Mayor Doctor Xhakaza over what he believes are defamatory statements made against him.
Monyepao alleges that Xhakaza has unwittingly implicated him in the murder of slain senior municipal auditor Mpho Mafole.
Earlier in July, Xhakaza disclosed that Mafole was investigating a significant R2 billion revenue shortfall at the time of his murder.
Monyepao was suspended in April on allegations of negligence for failing to take the necessary steps to prevent the revenue loss.
Xhakaza previously questioned why auditor Mafole was killed shortly after submitting a report that implicated suspended officials in the disappearance of R2 billion.
“It’s one thing you prepare a charge sheet for suspended officials, and once you deliver 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 just be a random thing.”
Monyepao claimed that Xhakaza’s comments have indirectly associated him with the killing of the auditor.
Monyepao has since issued a letter of demand to Xhakaza, calling for a retraction of the statements. He has warned that failure to do so will result in a defamation lawsuit.
He insisted the mayor’s remarks have tarnished his reputation and firmly denies any involvement in Mafole’s murder.