The order, granted on 13 February 2026, relates to Erf 2B, Erf 58B, Erf 64B and Erf 227B situated on Kremetart Street, Giyani.

According to NPA Limpopo Spokesperson Mashudu Malabi the successful forfeiture is the result of coordinated efforts by the South African Police Service’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), the Anti-Corruption Unit, and the AFU.

“The court accepted the AFU’s submission that there are reasonable grounds to believe the properties constitute proceeds of unlawful activities and/or were used as instruments to commit offences, including: Fraud, theft, and money laundering, Contravention of Limpopo Practice Note on Disposal of Assets (Note No. 05/2007), Breaches of municipal and provincial asset disposal policies, Contraventions of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), Contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury Regulations; and Contraventions of sections 5 and 6 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), including assisting another to benefit from unlawful proceeds and knowingly acquiring or using such property.

“These offences are alleged to have been perpetrated against the National Government and the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure. It is alleged that fraudulent deeds of sale were concluded between the late Fourie Willem Jakobus, Howard Alex Mashaba and Magezi Ben Mashaba (Mashaba Senior), through a company known as Mbangwa Trading and Projects,” she said.

Malabi saif the purported sales involved Erf 2B, Erf 58B, Erf 64B and Erf 227B for amounts ranging from R290 000 to R450 000, with payments allegedly made directly into Jakobus’s personal bank account.

“Despite the purported transactions, the properties were never transferred and remain registered in the name of the National Government and/or the Limpopo Department of Public Works. Notably, the department’s building that once stood on Erf 58B was demolished, and a hotel has since been erected on the property,” she said.

The Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Advocate Ivy Thenga, welcomed the court order, stating that the AFU will intensify its efforts to pursue high-profile suspects, particularly through its civil forfeiture powers under Chapter 6 of POCA.

“This order demonstrates that crime does not pay. Through the AFU’s civil forfeiture mandate, we can recover stolen state assets and funds, including those concealed in foreign jurisdictions. We will continue to act decisively to safeguard public resources,” she said.

She further commended the collaborative work of the DPCI, the Anti-Corruption Unit and the AFU, emphasising their commitment to accountability and the protection of public assets.

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The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Welkom has arrested a former municipal accounting officer and a service provider, along with his company, in connection with a R530,000 fraud case dating back to 2019.

Free State Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti, confirmed that the suspects, aged 42 and 57, were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in fraudulent activities tied to irregular debt collection services procured by the Bultfontein municipality.

Investigations reveal that in August 2019, the former municipal official unlawfully appointed a service provider to handle debt collection without following prescribed municipal supply chain procedures. Subsequently, a payment of R530,190.80 was made to the service provider, despite no services being rendered.

The irregularity came to light after the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) flagged the transaction in an official report. The report highlighted wasteful expenditure and alleged that the service provider had submitted fraudulent documents and invoices. The findings prompted municipal councillors to escalate the matter, leading to a formal complaint and the involvement of the Hawks.

The suspects face charges of fraud, contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act, and violation of the Debt Collectors Act.

All three the former official, the service provider, and his company are scheduled to appear in the Bultfontein Magistrate’s Court today.

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