The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) is enraged by the cold-blooded assassination of Mpho Mafole, a senior auditor in the City of Ekurhuleni. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and comrades.
But let us be clear: Mpho Mafole was assassinated. This was not a robbery or random act of violence. This was a hit, a targeted execution of a public servant who had only been in his post for three months. His crime? Likely stumbling upon or refusing to ignore corruption.
We’ve seen this playbook before — across South Africa, brave officials and whistleblowers are being silenced, one bullet at a time, while the state turns a blind eye.
We remember:
• Comrade Moss Phakoe, an ANC councillor and whistleblower in the North West, who was gunned down in 2009 after handing a dossier on corruption to top government officials, including then-President Zuma. In 2012, former Rustenburg Mayor Matthew Wolmarans and his bodyguard Enoch Matshaba were convicted. But in 2014, their convictions were overturned on appeal after a key witness recanted. The real masterminds were never held accountable.
• Jimmy Mohlala, the Speaker of Mbombela Municipality in Mpumalanga, who exposed corruption linked to the 2010 World Cup stadium construction. He was murdered in 2009, and to this day, his killers walk free.
• Sam Mohlomi, a Free State health department official, died under suspicious circumstances after exposing tender irregularities. Another unresolved case ignored and buried.
This is a war — a war on truth, a war on accountability, a war on justice. The state is not just failing to protect whistleblowers — it is enabling a culture of silence through impunity.
We demand:
1. A full, independent, and public investigation into the assassination of Mpho Mafole, including who ordered the hit.
2. Reopening of unresolved whistleblower murders, including those of Moss Phakoe, Jimmy Mohlala, and others.
3. Urgent whistleblower protection reform – with real legal and physical protection for those who expose corruption.
4. A commission of inquiry into political and corruption-linked assassinations.
South Africa cannot afford to become a mafia state. We cannot normalise the murder of workers and public servants whose only offence is doing their job with integrity.
Mpho Mafole’s blood joins a long line of fallen comrades who died for honesty. Let his death not be in vain.
A Statement was issued on behalf of SAFTU by General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
For more details, contact the National Spokesperson at:
Newton Masuku
066 168 2157
Newtonm@saftu.org.za
