Shockwaves have rippled through the City of Ekurhuleni following the chilling assassination of Mpho Mafole, a top forensic audit official and a key figure in the municipality’s anti-corruption drive. The 47-year-old, who had recently joined the metro as Group Divisional Head of Corporate and Forensic Audits, was gunned down in a targeted attack on Tuesday evening — just three months into his tenure.
Mafole was ambushed while driving along the R23 in Esselen Park, Kempton Park at approximately 5:55 PM. Police arrived to find his bullet-riddled body slumped inside his vehicle. The assailants fled the scene, and no arrests have been made. Authorities have yet to determine the motive, but the nature of the killing has fueled growing speculation that Mafole’s work rooting out corruption may have made him a marked man.
Before joining Ekurhuleni, Mafole spent 14 years at the Auditor-General of South Africa, where he gained a formidable reputation for investigating financial misconduct. His current position placed him at the center of uncovering fraud and irregularities in one of the country’s most scrutinized municipalities. With Ekurhuleni facing mounting pressure over governance and accountability, Mafole was seen by many as a catalyst for change — and possibly, by others, as a threat.
Tributes have poured in from shocked colleagues and officials who described Mafole as principled, fearless, and unwavering in his commitment to transparency and public accountability. The City of Ekurhuleni issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over his death and vowed to assist law enforcement in pursuing justice.
As the South African Police Service intensifies its investigation, authorities are urging members of the public with any information to come forward. The murder of a high-ranking municipal official tasked with tackling corruption has rattled citizens and raised troubling questions: Was Mafole silenced for uncovering too much — and who might be next?
The brazen nature of the assassination serves as a grim reminder of the risks faced by those on the frontlines of South Africa’s fight against corruption.
