Families of slain whistleblowers receive Fallen Heroes Awards
The fourth annual Whistleblower Awards honoured families of people killed after exposing corruption, including Emfuleni accountant Martha Mani Rantsofu. Her brother Tefo said the family did not want to celebrate an award that follows her death.
Rantsofu, an accountant at the Emfuleni municipality, was shot and killed on 30 March 2026. She had flagged corruption, including irregularities in a R16m fleet tender. She received the Fallen Heroes of Integrity Award after her death.
Tefo Rantsofu spoke at the event on Monday. He said: "this is not the kind of award we wanted to celebrate as a family." He said her death was not in vain, and that the family hopes for a verdict soon in the criminal investigation.
Other families also received awards. Mpho Mafole, chief auditor at the City of Ekurhuleni, was assassinated on 30 June 2025. He had been investigating a R1.8bn tender for mobile chemical toilets. Frans Mathipa, a senior Hawks investigator, was shot dead on 6 August 2023.
Journalists were also recognised. Pule Letshwiti-Jones, a crime reporter at eNCA, received an award for investigative journalism. Former Unisa vice-chancellor Mandla Makhanya gave the keynote address. He said leaders must protect those who report wrongdoing, and must do so in good faith.
Key facts
- Who
- Martha Mani Rantsofu (Emfuleni municipality accountant, shot and killed on March 30 2026 after…); Tefo Rantsofu (brother of Martha Mani Rantsofu); Tebogo Khaas (chairperson of Public Interest SA); Mpho Mafole (chief auditor at the City of Ekurhuleni, assassinated on June 30 2025)
- What
- At the fourth annual Whistleblower Awards, the families of several people killed after exposing corruption received Fallen Heroes Awards, and journalists were also recognised. Rantsofu's brother Tefo said the family did not want to celebrate the award because of her death.
- When
- 26 October 2026
- Where
- Emfuleni, Vanderbijlpark, Ekurhuleni
- Status
- Reported