PRETORIA – Fraud-convicted former Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs (2007–2009), Manyaba Rubben Mohlaloga will be swapping his fancy attire for orange prison garb. He will begin serving his 20-year direct imprisonment sentence pertaining to the R100 million fraud of the Land Bank in 2008.
The former ANC MP tried all avenues to avoid serving time in prison. Mohlaloga’s appeals against his conviction and sentencing were unsuccessful in both the Pretoria High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). His recent urgent application for bail extension in the Pretoria High Court on 16 September was also unsuccessful.
Colonel Katlego Mogale, spokesperson for the Hawks, said Mohlaloga was ordered to report to the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court yesterday (Thursday, 23 October), to commence serving his 20-year imprisonment sentence, handed down on 14 February 2019.
“The investigations by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit revealed that during February 2008, a grant of R6 million was irregularly paid to an entity on the verbal instruction of the then chief executive officer 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. The investigation revealed that Mohlaloga, in his capacity as the then Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, was among the individuals who personally benefited from the illicitly approved grant,” said Mogale. He said Mohlaloga 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. Following the SCA’s order on 8 August 2025, directing that he commences his sentence, 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, the court refused the application for bail, ordering that Mohlaloga surrender himself for incarceration,” said Mogale.
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Lt. Gen. Patrick Mbotho has commended the Hawks investigation team and the 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 Mbotho.
