VANDERBIJLPARK, GAUTENG – The brutal murder of Emfuleni local municipality accountant Martha Mani Ratsofu has taken a dramatic turn, with Gauteng police confirming that her death is directly linked to her whistleblowing on a controversial R16 million vehicle procurement deal. Ratsofu, who worked in the municipality’s revenue department, was gunned down in broad daylight at a tyre fitment centre in Vanderbijlpark in April, just days after flagging significant irregularities in the tender process.
The breakthrough in the case came with the arrest of Lerato Mpholo (42), a former Emfuleni local municipality fleet manager, by the Gauteng political killings task team (PKTT) over the weekend. Mpholo briefly appeared before the Vanderbijlpark magistrate’s court on Monday, facing charges that are expected to shed light on the murky dealings within the municipality.
Speaking outside the court, police spokesperson Colonel Amanda van Wyk unequivocally linked Ratsofu’s murder to her courageous efforts to expose corruption. "She reported several irregularities in March, this being one of them, and days later she was killed," Van Wyk stated. "This matter was reported to the police, and it is through the meticulous work of our Gauteng PKKT that we were able to match this former fleet manager with this tender." The statement paints a chilling picture of the dangers faced by those who dare to stand against corruption in South Africa.
The R16 million vehicle procurement deal, which Ratsofu had flagged, involved the purchase of 18 vehicles for the municipality. However, more than half of these vehicles were allegedly never delivered, despite the full payment being made. This staggering discrepancy was a central finding of a forensic audit completed in February 2026, which identified Mpholo as a central figure in alleged procurement irregularities.
The audit report detailed a litany of alleged misconduct, including bypassing supply chain management processes, colluding with suppliers, and pressuring municipal officials during the procurement process. According to the report, Mpholo signed invoices confirming the delivery of all 18 vehicles, even though only seven trucks had been delivered at the time, with some already experiencing mechanical problems. His former assistant, Levy Hlalele, currently on suspension, allegedly signed as the receiving official for all the vehicles, despite 11 of them never having reached the municipality.
The financial losses incurred by the Emfuleni municipality are substantial, exceeding R16 million. These losses include:
•R8.76 million for trucks that were never delivered.
•R2.85 million linked to graders.
•R1.8 million for warranty and service packages on graders that reportedly failed after only 137 to 378 operating hours, indicating potential substandard quality or fraudulent claims.
•A further R2.85 million linked to alleged price inflation of the graders.
Colonel Van Wyk confirmed that investigators have so far managed to trace four of the 11 missing vehicles. "These vehicles have been registered in the names of other entities. Yet the municipality paid the full R16 million to procure 18 vehicles. Seven have been delivered, while 11 remain unaccounted for," she explained, highlighting the complex web of alleged illicit activities.
In response to the damning findings, the Emfuleni council has recommended that criminal charges be instituted against the supplier, Maboela Forestry and Construction, as well as against Mpholo and Hlalele. The council is also exploring avenues to recover the municipality’s losses from the service provider, signaling a determined effort to reclaim public funds.
Kingsol Chabalala, the DA mayoral candidate for Emfuleni, welcomed the arrest, noting that the municipal manager had previously opened criminal cases against the trio. "We are pleased to see that the long arm of the law will come for those who involve themselves in corruption," Chabalala stated. However, he emphasized that this arrest should not be the end of the investigation. "This official did not act alone, and we call for an expanded operation to include both the allegedly EFF-linked service provider and their ANC enablers," he added, suggesting a broader political dimension to the corruption allegations.
The murder of Martha Rantsofu serves as a grim reminder of the high stakes involved in fighting corruption within South African municipalities. Her courage in exposing the alleged irregularities ultimately cost her life, but her sacrifice has now led to a significant arrest and the unmasking of a major tender scandal. The ongoing investigation by the PKTT and the NPA’s impending decisions will be crucial in determining whether full justice is served, not only for Martha Rantsofu but also for the residents of Emfuleni who have been defrauded of millions. The case will undoubtedly be a litmus test for the country’s commitment to eradicating corruption and protecting whistleblowers. The community watches, hoping that this time, the truth will not only emerge but also lead to lasting accountability and reform. The battle for clean governance in Emfuleni has just begun, and its outcome will resonate far beyond the municipality's borders.
