Emfuleni Fraud Investigation Widens as Janita van Reenen At The Centre

• SAPS National Spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team widened its Emfuleni probe following a March 2026 murder
• Janita van Reenen, already out on bail for her role in the Emfuleni R16 million fleet case, was re-arrested on 7 September on new fraud allegations
• Between six and seven municipality clients have come forward alleging van Reenen collected payments on behalf of the municipality but never passed the funds on

GAUTENG — The Emfuleni Local Municipality fraud investigation has expanded significantly, with SAPS National Spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirming that detectives are now pursuing multiple suspects linked to a case that originated with the murder of Martha Rantsofu in March 2026.

Speaking at a press briefing in Vanderbijlpark on 7 September 2026, Mathe told journalists that the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) became involved immediately after Rantsofu's death and subsequently uncovered a network of fraudulent financial activity connected to the municipality.

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Van Reenen re-arrested on the same day

Janita van Reenen, who had previously been granted bail in connection with the Emfuleni R16 million fleet scandal — in which vehicles were procured but never delivered — was re-arrested on 7 September on separate charges. Investigators allege she was part of a syndicate illegally selling electricity in the area.

According to Mathe, van Reenen posed as a municipal employee and collected payments from clients, falsely promising to transfer those funds to the municipality. Between six and seven clients have since come forward after noticing that their service accounts were not decreasing despite having made payments.

"We are talking about six to seven clients so far that have come forward where Janita would act as an employee where she would collect money from these clients and promise obviously to pay that money over to the municipality," Mathe said during the press briefing.

Murder remains the focal point of the probe

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Investigators are still working to establish the motive behind Rantsofu's killing, which Mathe described as the central thread connecting all related cases.

"All these cases emanate from her murder that took place in March 2026," she said.

Netizens react to case

The briefing drew considerable attention on social media, with several users commenting on Mathe's return to the spotlight. Tumi Kolobe wrote:

"She is back. Since its the PKTT case, she will elaborate more!! Dimpane tried to silence her!!"

Njabulo Mthombeni added:

"Welcome back, spokesperson."

Xshellz Scott remarked:

"This lady should have been national commissioner, at least if our Mr Masemola is being falsely accused."

Others used the update to voice frustration about the broader corruption climate.

Bazil Lion Chetty commented:

"As long as the ANC remains in power, we might as well legalize corruption."

Justin Ruthrum wrote:

"Haai, there are bigger fish, search more and harder."

Watch Athlenda Mathe address journalists on the widening Emfuleni investigation:

Martha Rantsofu's brother demands answers

In a related article, Briefly News reported on the ongoing investigation into the murder of whistleblower Martha Rantsofu, as her brother demands answers from former municipal official Janitha van Reenen. The emotional plea emphasizes the family's struggle for justice amidst claims that van Reenen may possess crucial information regarding who ordered the killing.

Proofreading by Tebogo Mokwena, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News