Slain auditor: Mayor warns of exodus

EKURHULENI Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, has sounded a chilling warning: Unless South Africa protects the integrity warriors within its public institutions, the state faces a mass exodus of professionals ~and with it, the collapse of public trust.

- KAMOGELO MOICHELA

Speaking at the funeral of slain forensic auditor Mpho Mafole on Sunday, Xhakaza delivered an emotional but forceful address, condemning what he described as a deepening climate of fear targeting civil servants confronting corruption head-on.

“If we don't pull up and enforce the law and ensure there are consequences, we will lose some of these professionals. They will want to leave the public service and it will mean the public trust will be eroded,” he said.