A top Johannesburg prosecutor is being investigated for corruption after allegedly demanding a R400 000 bribe to drop a fraud case against a Limpopo businessman.

Adv Tilas Richard Chabalala, attached to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) within the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA), allegedly demanded that Howard Mashaba pay R250 000 into his mortgage bond account and another R150 000 into his credit card before he could officially withdraw the case in court.

Chabalala is the prosecutor in an R6 million fraud case against Mashaba, filed by his aunt, Constance Miyelani Mthombeni, in 2019, after she accused her niece of fraudulently using funds belonging to a family transport business.

Mthombeni later withdrew the case in 2022 after her fallout with Mashaba was resolved in a family meeting, but Chabalala proceeded with the case in court, allegedly demanding a bribe from Mashaba to drop it. Mashaba is the owner of the bus company, Xilumani, which operates a fleet of buses in the Giyani area of Limpopo.

According to Mashaba and documents seen by African Times – including court papers, official correspondence, and bank statements – the businessman deposited R8 900 into Chabalala’s accounts in October 2024. Four thousand rand was deposited into Chabalala’s bond account on October 9, and another R4800 into his credit card the same day.

Mashaba has told African Times that he transferred the money into Chabalala’s accounts to gather documentary evidence of bribery against the IDAC prosecutor, who refused to drop the case until a R400 000 bribe was paid.

In January this year, Mashaba lodged a complaint with the NPA’s Office for Ethics and Accountability (OEA), accusing Chabalala of abuse of office, unethical behaviour, and corruption. The complaint was sent through a letter written to Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi.

NPA spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, confirmed that Chabalala was under investigation for alleged misconduct, corruption and unethical behaviour.

“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. The NPA treats allegations of misconduct, corruption and unethical conduct with the utmost seriousness.

“As the matter is being investigated by the other law enforcement agencies, we are unable to give further information so as not to interfere with ongoing investigations,” he said.

In his letter to Khubayi, Mashaba requested that the NPA probe Chabalala for the alleged misuse of office, unethical behaviour, and corruption. Mashaba claimed Chabalala demanded a R400 000 bribe to drop his case, and influenced Mthombeni to open a case against him after he demanded his deposit money, and raised concerns about their romantic relationship following the death of his uncle.

The issue stems from a family business arrangement to purchase at least six buses, each requiring a down payment of at least R500.000.00. Mashaba claims that after his uncle, Ndhuma Wa Van’wanati, a long-distance bus entrepreneur, died in 2011, he and his late uncle’s wife, Constance Miyelani Mthombeni, agreed to buy buses, but Mthombeni did not have enough deposit to secure one.

Mashaba then paid R3 million to get all the buses released. Mthombeni had promised to repay him the R500.000.00 for the one bus she intended to use. He kept the rest.

“Immediately after his passing, Mr Richard Chabalala, currently based in Johannesburg, entered into a romantic relationship with my late uncle’s wife. As a family, we raised our concerns about the appropriateness and timing of this relationship, which appeared to be motivated by access to inheritance rather than genuine affection.”

“In 2017, following a family investment in buses, Mr. Chabalala interfered and insisted that I pay a deposit on behalf of my uncle’s widow, despite being uninvolved in the business and unaware of the arrangements. That same year, he influenced her to open a case of surety against me, which eventually led to criminal charges in 2019,” Mashaba said in his letter.

“In an alarming development, Mr. Chabalala was appointed as the official in charge of the case, a clear conflict of interest given his close relationship with the complainant. I raised this issue with the National Prosecuting Authority and reported his misconduct and influence, but no action was taken.

“The case continued despite the complainant withdrawing the charges three years ago, after she admitted being misled by Mr. Chabalala and apologized to the family. Still, Mr. Chabalala continued to harass and extort individuals close to me, demanding payments in exchange for making the matter “go away.” He openly stated to my mother that I should help pay his bond, car, and other credit accounts.

“Shockingly, we have bank deposit proof showing that funds were transferred to Mr. Chabalala, which we reported to the Anti-Corruption team. However, the matter remains unresolved. We later discovered that an employee at the Anti-Corruption office in Johannesburg Ms Hlungwani, believed to be in a relationship with Mr. Chabalala, tipped him off, compromising the integrity of the investigation,” he added.

In an email dated January 15, 2026, the Office for Ethics and Accountability acknowledged Mashaba’s complaint. “The matter is regarded as serious and will be afforded the necessary attention it deserves,” said OEA acting director, MK Lehutjo.

Chabalala has dismissed Mashaba’s allegations against him, calling them nothing but fabricated lies.

“My bond is not even that much. He [Mashaba] is lying to you. It is all lies. It is just I’m still preparing for another case due tomorrow, so please just send all the questions in writing so that I can respond [to] them comprehensively when I’m done. But the long and short of it is that he is lying. I never demanded anything from him,” said Chabalala.

He declined to comment further. Chabalala would not entertain allegations that he accepted payment from Mashaba, abused his office, and acted improperly by influencing Mthombeni to open a case against the businessman and prosecuting a case involving his romantic partner.

Speaking to African Times, Mashaba said Chabalala’s conduct harmed his reputation and businesses.

“His conduct has destroyed my business. This case was reported in Pretoria, and he is based in Joburg. Pretoria has a commercial crime unit, which means if I were to attend court, I was going to attend in Pretoria, not Johannesburg. So he took the case to Joburg because he knows the kind of relationship he has with the complainant. The complainant realised late that she was wrong.

“I considered the complainant as my mother. She raised me. I went to Joburg for the first time because of her. I learnt how to drive using her cars. Since his (Chabalala) interference, I could not grow as a businessman because people believed what they heard about me while he was demanding money from me. I’m hand-tightened because of this case. Justice must prevail. Even if I’m wrong, justice must prevail. The complainant has withdrawn the case. Why is he demanding money to cancel the case? Is he the government or NPA? I have four to five years attending a case that has already been withdrawn. Paying lawyers, this case is hard on me to be honest,” Mashaba said.

Mthombeni confirmed that she withdrew the case at the Giyani Police Station in 2022.

“I can confirm that I was not forced to withdraw that case. I don’t want anything to do with it. Yes, it was me who withdrew the case. Everything that he (Mashaba) told you is true, my brother. I left that issue a long time ago,” Mthombheni said in a telephonic interview with African Times.