Former Member of Parliament Manyaba Rubben Mohlaloga must report to the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court today, 23 October 2025. This directive follows the exhaustion of all his legal appeals against a 20-year imprisonment sentence....Click to Read More >>➤
The original conviction dates back to 14 February 2019. His legal battles concluded after unsuccessful appeals at both the Pretoria High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal.
The case originated from a major investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit. Their probe, which began in Brooklyn in October 2012, uncovered a significant financial crime.
Court proceedings revealed that in February 2008, a R6 million grant was irregularly paid to a private entity. This payment was made solely on the verbal instruction of the then Land Bank CEO, completely bypassing all formal approval procedures.
The funds were drawn from the AgriBEE Fund, a R100 million pool managed by the Land Bank. Parliament had established this fund specifically to empower previously disadvantaged farmers.
The Land Bank itself alerted the Hawks to the suspicious transaction, triggering the investigation that would eventually implicate the former MP.
Mohlaloga’s Downfall from Parliament to Prison
In his role as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs, Manyaba Rubben Mohlaloga was found to have personally benefited from the illicit grant. His involvement turned the case into one of the most high-profile corruption scandals linked to agricultural development funds in South Africa.
After his conviction was upheld, Mohlaloga made a final attempt to remain out of prison. On 16 September 2025, he applied to the Pretoria High Court for an extension of his bail.
The State strongly opposed this application. On 13 October 2025, the court ruled against him, ordering his surrender.
The court’s decision mandates that Mohlaloga must now report to begin serving his full 20-year prison term. This case underscores the continued efforts to hold high-ranking officials accountable for corruption. ...Click to Read More >>➤
