The Gauteng Political Killings Task Team’s (PKTT) investigation into the whistleblower Martha Rantsofu’s murder has since uncovered several alleged corruption cases, including a multi-million-rand electricity syndicate and the R16m municipal fleet tender.

National police spokesperson Brig. Athlenda Mathe said investigators are also searching for the alleged head organiser of the killing. Police said the cases stem from complaints Rantsofu raised before her death.

She had raised concerns about three separate matters before her death: alleged fictitious invoice payments, illegal electricity connections, and the municipality’s controversial R16m fleet tender.

“We are still looking for the hitmen of Martha Rantsofu,” said Mathe. “We are also looking for the head organiser. All these cases emanate from her murder in March 2026. Right after her murder, the PKTT got involved in this particular case.

“We first uncovered the fictitious invoice payments that were allegedly made between Janitha van Reenen and the municipality. We are looking for the motive for the murder of Martha Rantsofu, while our investigation continues into these matters.”

The alleged electricity syndicate is accused of defrauding the municipality of approximately R9.9m through illegal electricity connections and the manipulation of municipal accounts. The PKTT arrested Van Reenen, 25, following the investigation, and police have described her as the alleged mastermind behind the syndicate.

She faces charges including theft, damage to and theft of critical infrastructure, and money laundering. Seven other suspects, including Emfuleni officials and subcontractors, were previously arrested and linked to the case.

Rantsofu also raised concerns surrounding the procurement of the 18 vehicles. The tender, awarded between 2022 and 2023, involved the procurement of vehicles worth R16m. However, only seven of the vehicles were allegedly delivered to Emfuleni. The vehicles included Toyota bakkies, graders and trucks.

Mathe said investigations have since established some of the vehicles linked to the tender were registered in other municipalities. Some of the vehicles were registered under Lephalale, Mogalakwena and the City of uMhlathuze municipalities, while another was registered to a private company.

The vehicles were meant to be delivered to Emfuleni municipality, but some were found elsewhere, and that is tantamount to tender fraud.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg

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