Former Mpumalanga Acting NPA Boss Dismissed for Bribery Allegations

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa has recently concluded the arbitration process resulting in the dismissal of the former acting director of public prosecutions in Mpumalanga, Matric Luphondo. The termination of Luphondo's professional tenure with the NPA was confirmed on Tuesday, signifying a noteworthy development in the agency's efforts to maintain ethical conduct and battle corruption within its structures.

Matric Luphondo was implicated in severe charges related to bribery and tarnishing the reputation of the NPA. He was found guilty of attempting to bribe a senior state advocate at the Pretoria Magistrate Court. The objective behind this offer was alleged to facilitate the withdrawal of legal proceedings against a senior official in the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements, identified as Kebone Masange.

The case that sprouted from these allegations dated back to 2021 when Masange, together with Luphondo and Lieutenant Colonel Ayanda Plaatjie of the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigations unit, faced arrests due to corruption charges. Masange was initially detained by immigration authorities in 2020 after being found in possession of three South African identification documents, supposedly attained through fraudulent means—a situation that complicated his legal eligibility for employment within the government sector.

Luphondo and Plaatjie's charges involved the accusation of offering a bribe to a fellow public prosecutor, essentially to erase Masange's incriminating profile from the legal radar, thus maligning the integrity of prosecutorial processes.

The NPA has expressed its contentment with the outcome of Luphondo's dismissal. Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga, spokesperson for the NPA, reiterated the agency's adherence to conduct guided by its established Code of Ethics and its non-negotiable stance on corruption. The expulsion of Luphondo from the NPA's ranks embodies a stark message against corruption and assures a vigilant approach to upholding the organization's ethical standards.

As articulated by Advocate Mhaga, the code of conduct at the NPA is a critical guideline that expects high levels of honesty and integrity, especially from its senior managerial staff. The decision to sever official ties with Advocate Luphondo reflects the organization's unwavering resolve to implement accountability and ensure the administration of justice remains unsullied by internal misconduct.

Adding to this scenario is an ongoing criminal trial against Matric Luphondo, which is being held at the High Court in Pretoria. The court proceedings will offer a judicial examination into the facts of the case, with a legal determination on the charges Luphondo is facing. The outcomes of these proceedings will be closely monitored, as they carry significant implications for the stature of law enforcement and public service integrity in South Africa.