A prominent Giyani businessman has been fined R25 000 after being convicted of intimidating a woman and violating a protection order issued against him.
Howard Alex Mashaba, 45, was convicted on two counts following an investigation by the Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the case stems from an incident on 4 July 2024, when Mashaba allegedly went to a woman’s residence in Giyani and ordered her to vacate the property, claiming he had bought the house.
According to a police statement issued on Thursday, the woman, who was lawfully renting the property from the Department of Public Works, refused to leave.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the complainant subsequently alleged that Mashaba and his accomplices threatened her by cutting off the electricity supply to the house and painting its walls red.
The following day, she approached the Giyani Magistrate’s Court and obtained a protection order against Mashaba.
But the order did not stop the confrontation.
On 2 August 2024, Mashaba allegedly arrived at the complainant’s workplace with an entourage, where he threatened and insulted her in front of her colleagues. SAPS said he also made derogatory remarks about her personal life.
The complainant reported the alleged breach to the Giyani Magistrate’s Court, which subsequently issued a warrant for Mashaba’s arrest.
The matter was later transferred to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit in Polokwane for further investigation.
Mashaba was arrested on 21 August 2024 and made several appearances in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court before being convicted on 8 June 2026.
He was sentenced on Tuesday, 22 September.
For intimidation, Mashaba was fined R10 000 or six months’ imprisonment, with a further 12 months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on conditions.
On the protection-order contravention, he was fined a further R15 000 or nine months’ imprisonment, with another 12 months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on conditions.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers commended the Anti-Corruption Unit for securing the conviction and sentence.
Scheepers said the case demonstrated the SAPS’ commitment to investigating criminal allegations and ensuring that offenders face the courts regardless of their social or economic standing.
