Giyani businessman fined R25 000 for intimidation and protection-order breach
GIYANI — Prominent Giyani businessman Howard Alex Mashaba, 45, has been fined a combined R25 000 after being convicted of intimidation and contravening a protection order.
Mashaba was sentenced by the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, following his conviction on two counts arising from incidents involving a woman who was renting a property from the Department of Public Works.
The case dates back to 4 July 2024, when Mashaba allegedly went to the complainant’s residence and instructed her to vacate the property, claiming that he had purchased the house.
The woman refused, telling Mashaba that she was the lawful tenant.
According to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit, the complainant alleged that Mashaba and his accomplices subsequently threatened her by cutting off the electricity supply to her home and painting the walls with red paint.
She approached the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on 5 July 2024 and obtained a protection order against Mashaba.
However, on 2 August 2024, Mashaba allegedly arrived at the complainant’s workplace accompanied by an entourage and threatened and insulted her in front of her colleagues.
The complainant reported the alleged conduct to the court, resulting in a warrant of arrest being issued against Mashaba.
The matter was later referred to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit in Polokwane for further investigation.
Mashaba was arrested on 21 August 2024 and appeared before the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on several occasions during the proceedings.
He was found guilty on both counts on 8 June 2026, with the matter postponed to 22 September for sentencing.
For intimidation, Mashaba was sentenced to a R10 000 fine or six months’ imprisonment, with an additional 12 months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on certain conditions.
On the second count of contravening a protection order, he was sentenced to a R15 000 fine or nine months’ imprisonment, with an additional 12 months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on certain conditions.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, commended the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for securing the conviction and sentence.
Scheepers said the SAPS remained committed to ensuring that criminal cases were thoroughly investigated and that perpetrators were brought before the courts regardless of their social or economic standing.
