SANDF General In Court For Allegedly Trying to Bribe Police Officer

A senior intelligence officer in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) appeared in court this week for allegedly attempting to bribe a police investigator with R1.5 million.

Brigadier General Johannes Prince Mkhabela, 53, the director of special acquisitions in Defence Intelligence, allegedly offered the money to have a case docket in an intimidation matter against him destroyed.

His personal secretary, Joshua Hlungwani, 41, and lawyer Athinandavha Mulaudzi, 39, are facing charges alongside him.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Hlungwani contacted the investigating officer on February 7, relaying Mkhabela’s offer of R1.5 million to halt the case.

Two days later, Mulaudzi allegedly asked “how much money would be required to have the case withdrawn.”

On February 13, Mkhabela reportedly met with the officer and paid a R50,000 deposit, promising to settle the balance by September 2026.

The officer immediately reported the approach, leading members of the Madlanga Commission Task Team to arrest Mkhabela shortly thereafter.

While Hlungwani and Mulaudzi were each granted R5,000 bail, the state is opposing bail for Mkhabela, arguing that he poses a flight risk and may intimidate witnesses. He is also facing a separate, pending intimidation case.

In his bail application, Mkhabela maintained his innocence, stating, “I have been set up..I have always conducted myself as a law-abiding citizen.”

The matter has been postponed to February 23 for a bail ruling.