Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Sourced
20 January 2026 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for an urgent and comprehensive investigation into allegations linking the City of Ekurhuleni’s Executive Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, to two high-profile criminal cases that have shaken the municipality.
In a statement released on Monday, DA City of Ekurhuleni Caucus Leader Cllr Brandon Pretorius urged the Gauteng Serious Crimes Unit to act swiftly following reports that the 2023 shooting of DJ Bongani Mfito may be connected to the murder of City of Ekurhuleni auditor Mpho Mafole, who was gunned down in June 2025.
According to the DA, a suspect arrested in connection with the attempted murder of Mfito is alleged to have also been involved in the killing of Mafole. The auditor was shot just days after submitting a report that allegedly exposed irregularities linked to a lucrative chemical toilet tender awarded by the municipality.
“The seriousness of these allegations cannot be overstated,” said Pretorius. “If confirmed, they point to a deeply disturbing culture of intimidation and criminality within the City of Ekurhuleni.”
The DA has also raised concerns about the apparent lack of transparency surrounding Mafole’s findings. Pretorius confirmed that the party submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request to obtain the auditor’s report but has been unable to access it, claiming the request has been deliberately blocked by the mayor’s office.
“These latest revelations, when read together with testimonies presented at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, paint a troubling picture,” Pretorius said. “Ekurhuleni is beginning to resemble an active crime scene rather than a functioning municipality.”
He added that the mayor’s alleged involvement in multiple scandals should concern every resident of the metro, particularly in light of ongoing service delivery challenges and governance failures.
“The DA will not rest until the truth is brought to light and justice is served,” Pretorius stated. “We will continue to push for the release of Mafole’s report and closely monitor the investigation into the shooting of DJ Mfito. Anything less would be a betrayal of the victims and a disservice to the law-abiding citizens of Ekurhuleni.”
The party reiterated its call for law enforcement authorities to act independently and without political interference, warning that failure to do so would further erode public trust in local government.
At the time of publication, neither the City of Ekurhuleni nor the office of the Executive Mayor had responded to the allegations.
