Today in court, it was revealed that the slain Emfuleni Municipality employee, Martha Mani Rantsofu, was indeed one of the whistleblowers whose actions lead to the arrest of those allegedly involved in the R16 million fleet procurement fraud in Emfuleni.
She was tragically shot in the head by a gunman in broad daylight in April of this year.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) condemned the killing and called for the intervention of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) to urgently investigate this case alongside law enforcement.
Shortly after her murder, it was reported that the slain whistleblower lifted the lid on the fraud and corruption involved in this R16 million tender fraud case. However, Emfuleni Municipality went to great lengths to deny that she had reported this matter to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Their motivation for attempting to cover up the truth remains questionable. It is our view that this was a deliberate effort to protect political leadership in Emfuleni.
Additionally, the Municipal Assistant Manager in charge of Fleet Procurement was suspended two months ago in relation to the very same tender fraud before the courts today.
We demand severe disciplinary measures to be taken against him including but not limited to his firing and subsequent arrest as he is implicated in tender fraud.
A thorough investigation must take place into the roles played by the main service provider, municipal officials and politicians in this heinous crime so that they can be held to account.
To purge Emfuleni of corruption and maladministration, register to vote DA during the Local Government Elections on 4 November.