Zuko Komisa
- COSATU has condemned the “heinous” assassination, slamming initial attempts by the municipality to deny Rantsofu’s status as a whistleblower.
- Rantsofu had reported colleagues to the Hawks for wiping municipal debts in exchange for bribes and siphoning off vehicles from a new fleet.
- The Federation is demanding the immediate prosecution of the culprits and the seizure of their assets to recover stolen public funds.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has declared its horror following confirmation that the murder of Martha Mani Rantsofu, a 40-year-old finance official, was a direct retaliation for her whistleblowing activities.
Rantsofu was gunned down in Vanderbijlpark on 30 March after uncovering a web of systemic corruption within the Emfuleni Local Municipality.
COSATU maintains that the graphic nature of Rantsofu’s murder which was widely circulated on social media demonstrates the lethal resolve of those siphoning money from local government.
Despite municipal spokespeople initially calling for “patience” and downplaying her role, it has been established that Rantsofu was a key witness in a corruption case involving overbilled business accounts and fraudulent debt management.
The Federation highlighted the tragic irony of the timing of this murder, noting that Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi only recently released the Protected Disclosures Bill for public comment.
While the Bill aims to tighten protections for workers against victimisation and “state capture,” COSATU notes that these legal frameworks failed to provide the necessary shield for Rantsofu.
The case has now been handed over to the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). COSATU has called on law enforcement to ensure that the investigation is exhaustive and leads to the harshest possible sentencing.
Offering condolences to Rantsofu’s family particularly her daughter currently in her matric year the Federation vowed to continue the fight for the safety of all workers who stand against criminality in the workplace.
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