CONTROVERSIAL former Eskom spokesperson and News24 journalist Sikonathi Mantshantsha is expected to face another major defamation lawsuit for trying to tarnish the reputation of the Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza.
Xhakaza indicated that he is consulting with his legal team to explore all available legal remedies, including a defamation lawsuit against Mantshantsha.
“In light of the seriousness of the allegations made, the Executive Mayor is currently consulting with his legal representatives to explore all available legal remedies, including potential civil action for defamation of character against those responsible
for the defamatory statements.”
This comes after News24 published articles on Monday, 19 January 2026, to link Xhakaza to the murder of Bongani Mfihlo. The media outlet reported that “Xhakaza was abusing his powers to manipulate the police investigations, his presence at the Mfihlo crime scene at Club88 was hidden from prosecutors for almost two years, until a change in the investigating team following the murder of Ekurhuleni chief auditor Mpho Mafole on 30 June 2025.”
To share an informed and objective perspective, Xhakaza said he tried to invite Mantshantsha to his office, but the attempt was unsuccessful. He claimed that he has repeatedly and publicly called for justice for the late Mafole and for all victims of violent crime within the municipality.
“Furthermore, the Office of the Executive Mayor has formally extended an invitation to News24 journalist, Mr Sikhonathi Mantshantsha, to engage and seek clarification on any matters arising from his reporting.
“To date, this invitation has not been taken up.”
“The invitation remains open, underscoring the Executive Mayor’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and full respect for the rule of law,” said in a statement.
Speaking to City Report, Xhakaza said he is concerned by a series of articles published on News24 trying to tarnish his reputation and delegitimise his leadership authority.
“While the Executive Mayor fully respects the principles of freedom of expression and media freedom as enshrined in the Constitution, he urges the media to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accuracy, and fairness in their reporting.”
In November 2025, Xhakaza ordered a series of urgent probes following damning testimonies at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The commission has exposed systemic corruption, rogue criminal syndicates, and administrative failures within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).
Speaking on the basis of anonymity, a source within the municipality alleged that Mantshantsha and social media influencers are allegedly paid by the suspended to fight back and destruct Xhakaza from implementing council resolutions.
“These people are trying to fight Doctor for exposing their corruption that we’ve heard at the Madlanga Commission. The fight back was expected but no one expected them to use social media influencers to insult our mayor for suspending controversial characters.”
Last year, the City announced the Chief Information Officer (CIO), Moloko Monyepao has been placed on precautionary suspension. Monyepao is linked to serious allegations of mismanagement related to financial losses incurred by the City, primarily due to issues around inaccurate billing systems, interim meter readings, account manipulations, insufficient administrative oversight, and poor management of business systems. The allegations of negligence reportedly costed the municipality R2 billion in lost revenue.
Monyepao has denied the allegations, characterizing himself as a “scapegoat” for exposing corruption within the municipality.
Other Suspensions:
The City suspended Deputy Chief of Police Julius Mkhwanazi on November 11, 2025. This action followed damning testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into corruption within the criminal justice system.
In December 2025, the City suspended its Head of Department for Legal and Risk Services, Advocate Kemi Behari. The suspension was confirmed around December 3, 2025, following a council resolution on November 18, 2025.
Behari was placed on precautionary suspension with full pay amid allegations from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that he failed to take disciplinary action against the suspended Mkhwanazi.
The City placed its Head of Human Resources, Linda Gxasheka, on precautionary suspension in December 2025, following allegations at the Madlanga Commission that she failed to act on disciplinary recommendations against Mkhwanazi.
