Johannes Prince Mkhabela appeared at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court alongside his lawyer and secretary for R1.5 million bribe claims
Image: Screenshot
A Brigadier General attached to the Intelligence Division of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has appeared in court on a charge of corruption involving R1.5 million.
Johannes Prince Mkhabela, 53, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court alongside his secretary, Joshua Thembi Hlungwani, 41, and his legal representative, Athinandavha Mannik Mulaudzi, 39.
They face charges of corruption involving R1.5 million and defeating the administration of justice.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said Hlungwani and Mulaudzi were each granted bail of R5,000.
Mahanjana said they were released under stringent bail conditions which stipulate that they may not interfere with ongoing investigations or state witnesses, must surrender their passports to the investigating officer, and are prohibited from contacting state witnesses, including the investigating officer.
According to Mahanjana, the charges stem from events beginning on February 7, 2026, when an investigating officer was probing an intimidation case against Mkhabela.
Johannes Prince Mkabela.
Image: Supplied
It is said that Hlungwani contacted the investigating officer and conveyed that Mkhabela was allegedly offering R1.5 million to ensure the matter did not proceed to court.
Two days later, on February 9, 2026, Mulaudzi contacted the same investigating officer to enquire how much money would be required to have the case withdrawn.
On February 13, 2026, Mkhabela met with the investigating officer and allegedly paid R50,000 as a deposit, with an undertaking to settle the outstanding balance by September 2026.
In exchange, he allegedly sought the destruction of the case docket against him.
After the alleged payment, members of the Madlanga Commission Task Team arrested Mkhabela. Hlungwani and Mulaudzi were arrested on Thursday, February 19 after handing themselves over to police.
In court, the State opposed bail for Mkhabela, arguing that he is likely to commit further offences, particularly as he already faces a pending intimidation case. The prosecution further submitted that he poses a risk of interfering with or intimidating state witnesses.
The State did not oppose bail for the two co-accused.
The matter was postponed to February 23, 2026, for the bail judgment concerning Mkhabela.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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