Five years after his dramatic disappearance, questions still surround the whereabouts of controversial businessman Sam “Mshengu” Chabalala and whether the explosive findings by the Special Investigating Unit could shed new light on his past dealings.
The SIU recently revealed that South Africa’s immigration system had effectively been turned into a marketplace, where visas and permits were allegedly sold to the highest bidder. The findings have sparked renewed public interest in high profile immigration fraud cases, including that of Chabalala.
The Rise and Sudden Fall of “Mshengu”
Chabalala, once known for his flamboyant lifestyle and his Sam Holdings Group empire, drew national attention in 2019 when he arrived at the Durban July with a convoy of luxury vehicles reportedly stretching into the dozens. The spectacle reportedly triggered scrutiny from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks.
On 6 September 2019, Chabalala was arrested on charges including corruption, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, illegal entry into South Africa, and providing false information to authorities.
During his arrest, he claimed to have been born in Limpopo. Investigators later alleged he was in fact a Zimbabwean national.
The Affidavit and the Killing
Shortly after Chabalala’s arrest, his close associate and manager, Nkosinathi Ngcongo, provided a sworn affidavit to investigators. Days later, Ngcongo was shot and killed.
Court proceedings later resulted in a 15 year prison sentence for a bodyguard linked to the murder plot. However, allegations have persisted that a suspected gunman known as Khumalo has not been arrested.
Bail, Bribery Allegations and Disappearance
Chabalala was granted R200,000 bail at the Witbank Magistrate’s Court. Less than six months later, he was arrested again, this time accused of attempting to bribe a senior police officer to make his case docket disappear and return his seized vehicle.
He was granted R500,000 bail despite opposition from the State.
In March 2020, after being released on bail for the second time, Chabalala vanished.
Before disappearing, he allegedly left a note suggesting he intended to end his life near the Crocodile River or a game reserve along the N2 towards Hluhluwe. No remains were publicly confirmed, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Authorities had reportedly secured two warrants for his arrest after he failed to appear in court.
SIU Findings on Immigration Corruption
The renewed attention comes after the SIU presented interim findings into corruption within the Department of Home Affairs.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber confirmed that the probe, authorised by Cyril Ramaphosa under Proclamation 154 of 2024, examined visa processes between October 2004 and February 2024.
Among the findings
More than 2,000 study visas were allegedly fraudulently issued
Financial benefits exceeding R181 million were traced to beneficiaries
Four officials earning under R25,000 per month reportedly received R16.3 million in unexplained deposits
Seventy five disciplinary cases were finalised over two financial years
Twenty officials were dismissed since April last year
High profile cases, including those involving Shepherd Bushiri and Timothy Omotoso, were also flagged during the investigation.
The Unanswered Question
Five years later, the mystery remains.
Is Sam “Mshengu” Chabalala dead. Did he flee the country. Or could new investigations into immigration corruption eventually reveal what really happened.
For now, the businessman who once dominated headlines has vanished, leaving behind unanswered questions, unfinished court cases, and a legal system still grappling with the full extent of alleged immigration corruption.