The Deadly Cost of Telling The Truth

The senseless and cowardly assassination of one of the forensic investigation profession’s most courageous souls both saddens and outrages me. It is obviously a tragic personal loss to his loved ones, but it is also a searing blow to all who believe in integrity, accountability and justice.

I’ve written previously on the increasing number of deadly attacks on whistleblowers in South Africa who risked everything to expose corruption, often at the highest levels. But the recent murder of fellow professional Mpho Kabasi Mafole hit me harder than most.

Mpho was the Group Divisional Head of Corporate and Group Forensic Audits at the City of Ekurhuleni. He stood fearlessly on the frontlines of one of the most difficult and dangerous battles in our country - the fight against corruption. His death is a stark reminder of the very real and present danger faced by the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to exposing the truth and challenging entrenched wrongdoing.

At his recent funeral, Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza hinted that his murder could be linked to the City’s R2bn revenue shortfall and the controversial R190m refurbishing of a building in Germiston that to date has cost the city over R300m. There has, at the time of writing, been no official confirmation or denial of this veiled allegation.

Click below to read the full article
https://lnkd.in/gfhGrz6Y