Civil society organisations say the killing of Emfuleni municipality finance official Martha Mani Rantsofu, 39, must become a turning point in South Africa’s fight against corruption. The political killings task team (PKTT) is investigating her murder.

Rantsofu was gunned down in Vanderbijlpark on Monday, 30 March. CCTV footage making rounds on social media shows how Rantsofu was shot and killed while waiting for her vehicle at a tyre-fitting shop. An unknown man walked up behind her and fired multiple shots before running towards the getaway car.

Rantsofu’s brother, Tsotang, says the family has received little support from municipal leadership. “As for the management of Emfuleni, we haven’t got any support except the immediate supervisor. They know what they did. So it’s hard for them even just to come and pay homage here with us. It tells you that people’s lives to them are nothing.

“Truly speaking, when we talk about justice, yes, it can bring a certain relief that we know who did this, but at the end of the day, they won’t bring her back.”

Police have not confirmed links to corruption, but civil society groups argue the circumstances point to a targeted killing. They have also urged the public not to speculate or share unverified information, warning that doing so could compromise the investigation.

The DA in Gauteng visited the home of the late Rantsofu. “We will leave no stone unturned to give the bereaved family the closure and justice they deserve,” said DA federal chairperson and Gauteng MPL Solly Msimanga. “We will do whatever needs to be done to ensure that this thing doesn’t get swept under the carpet.”

?? The DA in Gauteng is at the home of the late Martha Mani Rantsofu, the slain Emfuleni Local Municipality employee. We will leave no stone unturned to give the bereaved family the closure and justice they deserve. pic.twitter.com/xSVthFwOmK

— DA Gauteng (@DAGauteng) April 20, 2026

Emfuleni mayor Sipho Radebe also urged the community to refrain from the rumours they are spreading about what might have happened, and to just give the PKTT a chance to deal with this matter.

Meanwhile, the Aubrey Tau Foundation has offered a R100,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. It condemned the murder as “brutal and senseless”, warning that it had instilled fear among municipal employees and others who seek to expose wrongdoing.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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