BRIGADIER GENERAL IN SANDF INTELLIGENCE AND TWO CO-ACCUSED APPEAR IN COURT

Lumka Mahanjana
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Gauteng Division Pretoria photo by Dimakatso Modipa

By Lumka Mahanjana
NPA Regional Spokesperson

A Brigadier General attached to the Intelligence Division of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Johannes Prince Mkhabela (53), his secretary Joshua Thembi Hlungwani (41), and his legal representative, Athinandavha Mannik Mulaudzi (39), appeared before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on charges of corruption involving R1.5 million and defeating the administration of justice.

Hlungwani and Mulaudzi were each granted bail of R5 000.

Their bail conditions include that they must not interfere with investigations or state witnesses, must hand over their passports to the investigating officer, and must refrain from contacting state witnesses, including the investigating officer.

It is alleged that on 07 February 2026, while an investigating officer was actively probing a case of intimidation against Brigadier General Mkhabela, Hlungwani contacted the investigating officer and conveyed that Mkhabela was offering to pay R1.5 million to ensure that the case did not proceed to court.

On 09 February 2026, it is further alleged that Mulaudzi contacted the same investigating officer and enquired how much he would require to have the case withdrawn.

Subsequently, on 13 February 2026, Brigadier General Mkhabela allegedly met with the investigating officer.

During that meeting, he allegedly paid the officer R50 000 as a deposit and undertook to pay the outstanding balance by September 2026 in exchange for the destruction of the case docket against him.

Following the alleged payment, members of the Madlanga Commission Task Team arrested Mkhabela.

Hlungwani and Mulaudzi were arrested on 19 February 2026 after handing themselves over to the police.

In court, the State opposed the release on bail of Brigadier General Mkhabela on the grounds that he is likely to commit further offences, given that he already has a pending case against him.

The State further submitted that he poses a risk of interfering with or intimidating state witnesses, particularly considering the pending intimidation matter.

The State did not oppose the bail applications of the two co-accused.

The matter was postponed to 23 February 2026, for the bail judgment in respect of Brigadier General Mkhabela.