EKURHULENI – The assassination of senior City of Ekurhuleni auditor Mpho Mafole has taken a dramatic turn, with Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza publicly linking the murder to a high-level probe into a R2 billion electricity billing scandal within the municipality. However, these claims have sparked a furious response, with lawyers for suspended chief information officer Moloko Monyepao threatening legal action against the mayor for defamation.
Speaking outside Mafole’s home in Kempton Park on Thursday, Xhakaza told journalists that the slain official had been preparing charge sheets against senior officials linked to the billing scandal. "It’s painful to stand before the family and not give them the names of those who are responsible," the mayor added, highlighting the emotional toll of the situation.
The mayor went on to suggest a direct link between Mafole's work and his death, stating, “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 a random thing.” He further implied that the preparation of charge sheets against suspended officials was a dangerous undertaking.
However, these remarks have drawn sharp criticism and legal threats. Monyepao’s lawyers at Nozake Attorneys have issued a legal letter, seen by City Press, instructing Xhakaza to immediately retract his statements – both in the media and on public radio – which implied that their client was connected to the murder or a "criminal syndicate" operating within the metro.
Dated 4 July 2025 and addressed directly to the mayor, the letter reads: “Your statements suggest, without evidence, that Mr Monyepao is part of a ‘criminal syndicate’ and potentially linked to the murder of Mr Mafole. These are serious and unfounded allegations that constitute defamation under South African law.”
The lawyers argued that Xhakaza’s remarks, particularly those aired on Radio 702 and published by Eyewitness News, were not only inaccurate but also prejudicial, given that no criminal charges had been laid against Monyepao. "No credible evidence has been presented to substantiate these claims. Mr Monyepao has suffered reputational [damage] and emotional harm as a result of your reckless statements," Nozake Attorneys stated.
The lawyers have demanded that Xhakaza:
- Immediately cease making any further public comments that implicate Monyepao.
- Issue a public retraction and clarification through the same platforms, including Eyewitness News, explicitly stating that no evidence supports any link between Monyepao and Mafole’s murder.
- Preserve all documentation and communication relating to Monyepao’s suspension and the revenue probe for possible future legal proceedings.
The lawyers gave Xhakaza seven days to respond, failing which they warned that legal proceedings, including a defamation lawsuit and claim for damages, may follow.
The billing scandal itself has dented confidence in the metro’s ability to manage its finances. Mafole, who had only been in his role for three months, was tasked with investigating the R2 billion revenue hole that had triggered alarm across the Ekurhuleni municipality’s finance structures.
As City Press previously reported, the city’s Finance MMC Jongizizwe Dlabathi confirmed that preliminary investigations pointed to deliberate account manipulation and deletions by city officials. “We discovered that there are about 1 660 accounts that were manipulated for rates clearance,” Dlabathi said. He also revealed that 1 438 accounts had been deleted, only to be reloaded with significantly reduced arrears, resulting in revenue losses of R273 million.
While Monyepao was suspended in April this year for alleged negligence relating to the shortfall – specifically for failing to detect the manipulation – his lawyers argued that no formal charges had been laid against him and that the matter remained under administrative review. They said Xhakaza’s public statements suggesting otherwise were not only misleading but also a violation of the presumption of innocence and procedural fairness. "As a senior official with a distinguished career, Monyepao has been unfairly tarnished by your public assertions, which have been widely disseminated through media outlets," Nozake Attorneys wrote.
According to internal reports, the manipulation of the accounts may have happened over several years and involved collusion between internal and external actors, among them consultants and property managers. An independent forensic investigation was underway, but sources said it was still in early stages. Whether it will result in criminal prosecutions remained to be seen.
In Mafole’s case, the municipality has not yet formally responded to the letter from Monyepao's lawyers. The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department has yet to confirm any suspects or motives for the murder. However, the mayor’s remarks linking Mafole’s death to the billing investigation have intensified political tensions and legal threats within the municipality’s leadership, adding a layer of complexity to an already sensitive and high-stakes situation. The investigation into Mafole's murder and the R2 billion billing scandal continues.
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