Johannesburg – Thabani Goodwill Ntshalintshali, the 40-year-old man accused of the callous murder of City of Ekurhuleni Senior Auditor Mpho Mafole, has been remanded in custody.
Ntshalintshali, who was out on R5 000 bail for another murder he allegedly committed last year in September, appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 23 July 2025.
The Ekurhuleni Senior Auditor joined the municipality in April and was shot dead three months later.
Mafole was attacked along the R23 highway in Kempton Park while on his way home from a meeting in Alberton.
The 47-year-old former employee of the Auditor-General South Africa was leading an investigation into a significant electricity billing scandal in Ekurhuleni, which reportedly cost the municipality over R2 billion.
The scandal involved tampered electricity accounts, with some accounts paying reduced rates and others being absent from the system, resulting in substantial financial losses.
In court on Wednesday, the burly accused wearing a branded Jeep pullover cut an ominous figure when he was asked to stand.
Ntshalintshali confirmed his name and that he understood the charges against him.
The brief appearance gave a window into the man accused of killing the forensic auditor.
There were expressions of shock from those attending the court when the state revealed the accused was out on bail for another murder case.
In that matter, Ntshalintshali is scheduled for trial on 12 and 19 August 2025.
The state alleges that, while out on bail on 30 June 2025, the accused Ntshalintshali followed the forensic auditor and shot him dead in Kempton Park.
Mafole was declared dead at the scene.
A witness later informed police about a suspicious vehicle in the area, which led authorities to launch an investigation that eventually pointed to the accused.
Outside the court, the slain forensic auditor’s father, Kiki Mafole, told reporters the family wanted to give authorities space to properly investigate the matter to find out why his son was murdered.
National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng Spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the state will oppose bail for Ntshalintshali.
Meanwhile, posts on X and media reports reflect a public sentiment that Mafole’s murder was connected to his efforts to expose corruption, though these are not conclusive evidence.
Police are also searching for a second suspect, Hlanganani Agripper Mncwango, for whom a warrant of arrest has been issued.
