Richard Chabalala, a leading prosecutor at the National Prosecuting Authority, faces serious corruption allegations involving a bribe linked to a fraud case against businessman Howard Mashaba.
Image: PEXELS
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has been drawn into a matter involving serious allegations of corruption brought against one of its leading prosecutors, Richard Chabalala.
It was alleged that Chabalala, who is attached to the NPA's Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) unit, requested Limpopo businessman Howard Mashaba to make substantial payments into his mortgage bond and credit card accounts to make the case against Mashaba disappear.
Mashaba, the owner of Xilumani, a bus company operating in the Giyani area, was facing fraud charges.
The fraud charges originated from a family dispute that emerged in 2019 when Mashaba's aunt accused him of mismanagement of funds linked to the family transport business and charges were brought against him.
Following an agreement reached in 2022 to resolve the differences between Mashaba and his aunt, it was decided that the case against him should be withdrawn.
However, allegations have since emerged that Chabalala continued to pursue the matter against Mashaba and allegedly requested a bribe of R400,000 to squash the case.
The NPA's spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, confirmed the allegations made against Chabalala and said the matter was being investigated.
Another ABSA deposit slip
Image: Supplied
Mashaba claimed that Chabalala instructed him to transfer R250,000 into the prosecutor's mortgage bond account, in addition to R150,000 into his credit card account, as a means to 'settle' the case.
To substantiate his claims, Mashaba documented the alleged acts of extortion, which included bank slips indicating deposits, which he submitted to the NPA's Office for Ethics and Accountability.
In his submissions to the NPA, he accused Chabalala of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
A deposit slip where money was paid
Image: supplied
Chabalala denied the allegations against him, involvement with Mashaba or the case. He said: “I don’t know this guy; I’ve not seen him.”
In response to Chabalala’s denial, Mashaba insisted: “I stand by my statement that indeed he extorted money from me for a period of six years.”
He said his situation with Chabalala had considerable impact on his business, it affected him psychologically and brought financial burdens.
“Justice must prevail. I’ve spent years attending to a case that has already been withdrawn,” Mashaba lamented.
Another deposit slip, deposited at Nedbank ATM.
Image: Supplied
This mounting scrutiny has prompted NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago to affirm that the authority considers the corruption allegations to be of utmost seriousness.
“The NPA is aware of the allegations made against Prosecutor Richard Chabalala and can confirm that the complaint has been received and is being processed accordingly,” Kganyago stated.
DAILY NEWS