Ex-ANC MP Manyaba Rubben Mohlaloga Ordered to Begin 20-Year Prison Term for Fraud and Money Laundering

Ex-ANC MP Ordered to Start 20-Year Prison Sentence

Former ANC MP Manyaba Rubben Mohlaloga, once chair of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs, has finally been ordered to report to the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court to begin serving his 20-year prison sentence for fraud and money laundering.

The case stems from an irregularly approved R6 million grant from the Land Bank’s AgriBEE Fund, which was allocated without proper approval following verbal instructions from the then CEO of the Land Bank.

Personal Gain Behind the Grant

According to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale, Mohlaloga was among those who personally benefited from the illicit grant. The AgriBEE Fund, valued at R100 million, was intended to promote the empowerment of previously disadvantaged farmers, but the irregular payment undermined the fund’s purpose.

“The Land Bank reported the matter to the Hawks, highlighting abuse of trust in the administration of the AgriBEE Fund,” Mogale said.

Conviction and Sentencing

Mohlaloga was found guilty on one count of fraud and one count of money laundering, resulting in separate 15-year sentences. Ten years of the money laundering sentence run concurrently, producing an effective 20-year term.

Despite appealing to both the Pretoria High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), his attempts were unsuccessful. On 8 August 2025, the SCA directed that he commence his sentence.

Mohlaloga filed a last-minute bail extension application, aiming to appeal to the Constitutional Court, but the Pretoria High Court refused this request on 13 October 2025, ordering him to surrender for incarceration.

Hawks Praise Investigative Efforts

Acting Hawks head Lieutenant General Patrick Mbotho commended the investigative and prosecution teams for their dedication, emphasizing that the case underscores the Hawks’ commitment to holding public officials accountable.

“This case is a clear demonstration that those who abuse positions of trust will face justice,” said Mbotho.

The investigation, which began in October 2012, was handled by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit in Brooklyn, marking it as one of their landmark cases in exposing high-level corruption.

Public Reaction and Political Context

The case has sparked renewed discussion on political accountability in South Africa, particularly regarding misuse of public funds intended for social and economic development. On social media, users expressed both relief and frustration, highlighting the long delays between conviction and the commencement of Mohlaloga’s sentence.

Legal analysts note that the ruling sends a strong message to current and former public officials: exploiting state resources for personal gain carries severe consequences, no matter the position held.

After years of legal wrangling and appeals, Manyaba Rubben Mohlaloga will now begin serving his 20-year sentence for defrauding the Land Bank and laundering money from the R6 million grant. The case represents both a victory for justice and a cautionary tale for public officials abusing their positions of power.

{Source: The Citizen}

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