Accused in Ekurhuleni Auditor's Murder Case Appears in Court
Image: Facebook
Thabani Goodwill Ntshalintshali, a 40-year-old man accused of murdering City of Ekurhuleni Senior Auditor, Mpho Mafole, appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrates' Court today. Ntshalintshali faces charges of murder after Mafole was fatally shot on 30 June 2025, shortly after a work-related meeting.
The case has been postponed to 15 August 2025 for further investigation. According to the State's allegations, Ntshalintshali followed Mafole after the meeting and subsequently shot him in Kempton Park. Mafole, a highly respected senior official in the City of Ekurhuleni, was declared dead at the scene.
The police investigation was launched after a witness reported a suspicious vehicle in the vicinity shortly after the shooting. This tip led authorities to investigate further, ultimately leading to the identification of Ntshalintshali as the key suspect in the case.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
In addition to the murder charge related to Mafole's death, Ntshalintshali is facing another murder charge from an unrelated case, which is scheduled to go to trial on 12 and 19 August 2025.
This has led to the State's decision to oppose his bail application, citing concerns over the seriousness of the charges against him.
Ntshalintshali remains in custody pending his next court appearance.
Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Gauteng, commented on the case, emphasising the ongoing nature of the investigation.
'We are focused on thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr. Mafole's death and ensuring that justice is served,' Mjonondwane said.
'We are exploring all avenues in this case, and further arrests cannot be ruled out as we gather more evidence.'Mafole's death has left a significant impact on the local community and his colleagues at the City of Ekurhuleni. Known for his dedication to transparency and effective public sector auditing, Mafole's passing has raised concerns about the safety of government employees, particularly in light of the violent nature of the crime.
His colleagues have expressed deep sadness and shock over the incident, remembering him as a committed professional whose work had a profound impact on the city's operations.
The tragic killing of Mafole has prompted calls for stronger measures to protect public servants, particularly those working in sensitive areas like financial oversight and auditing.
Public servants who are involved in exposing corruption or fraud, like Mafole, can often find themselves at risk due to their roles.
The murder has prompted public outcry and raised questions about the broader issue of public safety for officials in the government sector.
As the investigation into Mafole's death continues, the NPA has assured the public that every effort is being made to bring the perpetrator(s) to justice.
The NPA has urged people with information about the case to come forward, assuring them that their information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
Ntshalintshali's appearance today marks a critical step in the legal process, but the case is still in its early stages with a second trial pending in August.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Here's what to expect in the Jayden-Lee Meek matter today
The 31-year-old, Tiffany Meek, mother of the 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, is accused of murdering her son. Image: Timothy Bernard / IOL Graphics After more than a week of stating their case, closing arguments in the Tiffany Meek bail hearing are expected in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Monday. Meek, 31, from Fleurhof, faces charges of murder of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, crimen injuria, attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice, and defeating or obstructing the administration of justice. Legal counsel are expected to give their closing arguments before Magistrate Annelin Africa, who is set to decide Meek's fate. Meek was arrested on July 11 and has been in custody since then. She previously urged the court to grant her bail as she is the sole breadwinner of her family and stated she could afford R5,000. Meek's lawyer, Noven Naidoo, concluded his cross-examination of the investigating officer on Friday. Naidoo brought up the fact that the police sergeant previously told the court it would be in Meek's best interest to stay behind bars. The court heard the public outcry from not only residents from Fleurhof, but South Africans at large, needed to be taken into consideration when making a judgment. The police sergeant said South Africans are angered at Meek, who was initially at the forefront for justice for her son, 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, yet she is now sitting in the dock for murder. Earlier this week, the court asked the investigating officer to provide the memorandum handed over to SAPS that he previously mentioned. Protest actions by residents at the Florida police station resulted in community activists calling for a police station in Fleurhof, more visible policing, and prioritising the murder of Jayden-Lee, days earlier. Naidoo also referred to an IOL article where the man who allegedly murdered a 14-year-old was granted bail in the same court. 'I am not familiar with the merits of that case,' the investigating officer said. Naidoo alluded that if this matter, which was allegedly premeditated, saw the court granting bail with only circumstantial evidence, the State in Jayden-Lee's matter could also probably not have a strong case, and bail should surely be considered. 'I do not agree with that. The State has a very strong case,' the police sergeant said. [email protected] IOL
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
‘Millions of Assumptions': Wins SARS Fraud Case, Casts Doubt on Blue Lights Trial
Sifiso Mahlangu | Published 3 hours ago The State's long-standing corruption case against businessman Vimpie Phineas Manthata suffered a major blow this week when the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court acquitted him and his co-accused in a R19 million tax fraud case that had formed a central pillar of the broader 'blue lights' procurement scandal. The verdict, delivered by Magistrate Phindi Keswa, saw Manthata, his company Instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement (ITLE), and bookkeeper Judy Rose cleared of all charges related to alleged violations of the Tax Administration Act during the 2018 and 2019 tax years. Legal experts say the State's inability to prove its SARS case beyond a reasonable doubt will now put additional pressure on the corruption trial, which has already faced years of delays, procedural blunders, and accusations of political motivation. 'The prosecution could not distinguish between clerical mistakes and criminal conduct,' Magistrate Keswa ruled. 'Assumptions and administrative discrepancies cannot be used to build a case without clear evidence of intent.' The SARS prosecution had alleged that Manthata's company manipulated its tax returns to avoid paying nearly R19 million in VAT and other obligations. But defence attorney Pierre du Toit successfully argued that there was no evidence of fraud, deception, or intent to mislead SARS. 'This case is not about millions of rands, it is about millions of assumptions,' Du Toit told the court during closing arguments. 'The burden is on the State to prove guilt, and it has failed to do so in spectacular fashion.' He cited landmark cases including *State versus Prinsloo* and *State versus Futche*, which require a demonstration of clear intent to commit fraud — a standard the court agreed had not been met. SARS officials admitted under cross-examination that they had no direct proof of falsified entries, and Rose testified that all bookkeeping was done using standard software and practices. The collapse of the tax case undermines the State's broader narrative in the so-called blue lights corruption case, in which Manthata, former acting national police commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane, and ten others face charges linked to the irregular procurement of emergency police equipment worth R191 million. The State had portrayed ITLE as a central vehicle for corrupt payments, with the SARS case meant to illustrate how the company allegedly misrepresented its financial affairs. Now, with the tax fraud allegations discredited, the entire corruption case may be on shaky ground. Last week, the same court postponed the blue lights trial yet again — this time to October 2025 — after severe criticism of the State's inability to produce a coherent charge sheet more than seven years after the case was first opened. Magistrate Ashika Ramalal lambasted the prosecution's handling of the case, saying the delays and repeated administrative errors were unacceptable. Still, she ruled that the trial would go ahead next year, warning that no further postponements would be tolerated. Defence attorneys argued that their clients had suffered severe prejudice and that the continued delays were violating their right to a fair and timely trial. Accused number 9 was even left without legal representation at one point, prompting the State to suggest separating the charges — a proposal strongly opposed by the defence. The situation has been further complicated by the State's repeated failure to serve Phahlane properly and controversy over the dropping and reinstatement of charges against Manthata, a move legal observers say sets a dangerous precedent. But with one major case already dismissed and serious doubts now hanging over the remaining charges, many are questioning whether the blue lights corruption trial will ever result in a conviction, or if it is yet another politically entangled case destined to collapse under the weight of its mismanagement.
IOL News
15 hours ago
- IOL News
‘Millions of Assumptions': Wins SARS Fraud Case, Casts Doubt on Blue Lights Trial
Defence attorney Pierre du Toit successfully argued that there was no evidence of fraud, deception, or intent to mislead SARS Image: Supplied The State's long-standing corruption case against businessman Vimpie Phineas Manthata suffered a major blow this week when the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court acquitted him and his co-accused in a R19 million tax fraud case that had formed a central pillar of the broader 'blue lights' procurement scandal. The verdict, delivered by Magistrate Phindi Keswa, saw Manthata, his company Instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement (ITLE), and bookkeeper Judy Rose cleared of all charges related to alleged violations of the Tax Administration Act during the 2018 and 2019 tax years. Legal experts say the State's inability to prove its SARS case beyond a reasonable doubt will now put additional pressure on the corruption trial, which has already faced years of delays, procedural blunders, and accusations of political motivation. 'The prosecution could not distinguish between clerical mistakes and criminal conduct,' Magistrate Keswa ruled. 'Assumptions and administrative discrepancies cannot be used to build a case without clear evidence of intent.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ SARS Case Unravels The SARS prosecution had alleged that Manthata's company manipulated its tax returns to avoid paying nearly R19 million in VAT and other obligations. But defence attorney Pierre du Toit successfully argued that there was no evidence of fraud, deception, or intent to mislead SARS.'This case is not about millions of rands, it is about millions of assumptions,' Du Toit told the court during closing arguments. 'The burden is on the State to prove guilt, and it has failed to do so in spectacular fashion.' He cited landmark cases including *State versus Prinsloo* and *State versus Futche*, which require a demonstration of clear intent to commit fraud — a standard the court agreed had not been officials admitted under cross-examination that they had no direct proof of falsified entries, and Rose testified that all bookkeeping was done using standard software and practices. Implications for the Blue Lights Trial The collapse of the tax case undermines the State's broader narrative in the so-called blue lights corruption case, in which Manthata, former acting national police commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane, and ten others face charges linked to the irregular procurement of emergency police equipment worth R191 million. The State had portrayed ITLE as a central vehicle for corrupt payments, with the SARS case meant to illustrate how the company allegedly misrepresented its financial affairs. Now, with the tax fraud allegations discredited, the entire corruption case may be on shaky ground. Last week, the same court postponed the blue lights trial yet again — this time to October 2025 — after severe criticism of the State's inability to produce a coherent charge sheet more than seven years after the case was first opened. Growing Criticism of the Prosecution Magistrate Ashika Ramalal lambasted the prosecution's handling of the case, saying the delays and repeated administrative errors were unacceptable. Still, she ruled that the trial would go ahead next year, warning that no further postponements would be tolerated. Defence attorneys argued that their clients had suffered severe prejudice and that the continued delays were violating their right to a fair and timely trial. Accused number 9 was even left without legal representation at one point, prompting the State to suggest separating the charges — a proposal strongly opposed by the defence. The situation has been further complicated by the State's repeated failure to serve Phahlane properly and controversy over the dropping and reinstatement of charges against Manthata, a move legal observers say sets a dangerous precedent. But with one major case already dismissed and serious doubts now hanging over the remaining charges, many are questioning whether the blue lights corruption trial will ever result in a conviction, or if it is yet another politically entangled case destined to collapse under the weight of its mismanagement.
