EX-PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE MEMBER TO BEGIN 20-YEAR PRISON TERM
GAUTENG: Former Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs (2007–2009), Manyaba Rubben Mohlaloga, has been ordered to report to the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court today, 23 October 2025, to commence serving his 20-year imprisonment sentence handed down on 14 February 2019.
This follows one of the landmark cases investigated by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit, which was registered in Brooklyn in October 2012. Investigations revealed that during February 2008, a grant of R6 million was irregularly paid to an entity on the verbal instruction of the then CEO of the Land Bank, without following the requisite approval procedures.
The matter was brought to the Hawks’ attention by the Land Bank, which was responsible for managing and administering the AgriBEE Fund valued at R100 million, a fund allocated by Parliament to promote the empowerment of previously disadvantaged farmers.
Mr Mohlaloga, in his capacity as the then Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, was among the individuals who personally benefitted from the illicitly approved grant.
He was subsequently found guilty on one count of fraud and one count of money laundering, resulting in his sentencing on 14 February 2019. The court imposed 15 years’ imprisonment on each count, with 10 years of the money laundering sentence ordered to run concurrently, resulting in an effective 20-year term.
Mr Mohlaloga lodged appeals with both the Pretoria High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), which were unsuccessful. Following the SCA’s order on 8 August 2025, directing that he commence his sentence, Mr Mohlaloga filed an urgent application for bail extension, pending an intended application for leave to appeal to the Constitutional Court.
The bail extension application was heard in the Pretoria High Court on 16 September 2025 and was successfully opposed by the State. On 13 October 2025, the court refused the application for bail, ordering that Mr Mohlaloga surrender himself for incarceration.
The Acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Patrick Mbotho, commended the investigation and prosecution teams for their outstanding diligence and commitment, ensuring that those who unlawfully enrich themselves at the expense of public funds are held accountable.
“This case is a clear demonstration that the Hawks and the justice system remain resolute in bringing those who abuse positions of trust and authority to justice,” said Lieutenant General Mbotho.
