Murdered Emfuleni accountant flagged R16m tender fraud just before her death

The investigation into the murder of Emfuleni municipal accountant Martha Rantsofu has taken a significant turn after Gauteng police confirmed that she had reported serious irregularities involving a controversial R16 million municipal vehicle tender shortly before she was killed.

Rantsofu was shot and killed in broad daylight at a tyre fitment centre in Vanderbijlpark in April. Months later, investigators say the corruption concerns she raised are now at the centre of an expanding criminal investigation that has already led to an arrest.

The latest development has intensified scrutiny of procurement practices within Emfuleni Local Municipality, an institution that has faced repeated criticism over governance and financial management in recent years.

Former fleet manager appears in court

A major breakthrough came over the weekend when Gauteng’s Political Killings Task Team arrested former Emfuleni fleet manager Lerato Mpholo, 42.

He made a brief appearance in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with the multimillion-rand fleet procurement scandal.

According to police spokesperson Colonel Amanda van Wyk, investigators established that the tender under investigation was one of several matters Rantsofu reported to authorities before her death.

Police revealed that Rantsofu alerted law enforcement to procurement irregularities in March, only days before she was murdered. Authorities say the investigation by the Political Killings Task Team enabled detectives to connect the former fleet manager to the disputed tender.

Forensic audit uncovers alleged procurement failures

A forensic investigation completed in February 2026 paints a troubling picture of how the municipality allegedly handled the fleet acquisition.

The audit reportedly identified Mpholo as a key figure in procurement irregularities that included bypassing supply chain procedures, working with suppliers outside proper processes and placing pressure on municipal officials during the purchasing process.

Investigators also allege that invoices were approved confirming delivery of all 18 vehicles, despite only seven trucks having actually arrived. Some of those vehicles reportedly experienced mechanical failures soon after entering service.

Another municipal official allegedly signed documentation confirming receipt of the entire fleet, although investigators claim 11 vehicles had never been delivered.

Millions of rand allegedly lost

The forensic report estimates that Emfuleni Municipality suffered losses exceeding R16 million through the disputed procurement.

The alleged losses include:

• More than R8.7 million spent on trucks that were never delivered.
• Around R2.85 million linked to grader purchases.
• Nearly R1.8 million paid for warranties and service plans on graders that reportedly failed after limited operating hours.
• An additional R2.85 million attributed to alleged price inflation involving the graders.

Police have also confirmed that investigators have located four of the 11 missing vehicles. According to authorities, those vehicles have since been registered under different entities, despite the municipality having paid for all 18 vehicles.

The whereabouts of the remaining vehicles are still under investigation.

Political pressure grows for accountability

The developments have renewed calls for accountability from political leaders.

Democratic Alliance Emfuleni mayoral candidate Kingsol Chabalala said the investigation should extend beyond municipal officials to include everyone who may have played a role in the alleged corruption.

He questioned why the municipality initially disputed reports that Rantsofu had informed the South African Police Service about the tender irregularities before her death, arguing that the circumstances deserve closer examination.

Chabalala also called for strong disciplinary action against implicated officials and urged investigators to examine the conduct of service providers, municipal employees and any political figures connected to the procurement process.

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Source: Sowetan