Limpopo businessman Howard Mashaba sentenced for intimidation and breaching protection order

A Limpopo businessman was convicted and sentenced in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court after being found guilty of intimidation and of contravening a protection order, the South African Police Service’s Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit in Limpopo said.

Sentence and charges

Prominent businessman Howard Alex Mashaba, 45, was ordered to pay a fine of R10,000 or serve six months’ imprisonment for the intimidation conviction. The court also imposed an additional 12 months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on certain conditions for that count.

For contravening a protection order, Mashaba was fined R15,000 or given nine months’ imprisonment, with an additional 12 months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on certain conditions, the police said.

Events leading to the charges

The SAPS Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit said the matter dates to 4 July 2024, when Mashaba went to the complainant’s residence, a property leased to her by the Department of Public Works, and instructed her to vacate the premises claiming he had purchased the house. The complainant disputed his claim.

“The complainant refused and explained that she was the lawful tenant of the property. She further complained that the accused and his accomplices threatened her by cutting the electricity supply to her house and painting the walls with red paint,”

The complainant applied for a protection order at the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on 5 July 2024, and the order was served on Mashaba, who was given a court date, police said.

Alleged breach and arrest

Police said Mashaba returned, this time to the complainant’s workplace, on 2 August 2024 accompanied by an entourage. At the workplace he allegedly threatened and insulted her in front of colleagues, making derogatory remarks about her personal life. The complainant reported the conduct to the Giyani Magistrate’s Court, which issued a warrant of arrest.

“The complainant reported the conduct to the Giyani Magistrate’s Court, where a warrant of arrest was issued against the accused. The matter was subsequently referred to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit in Polokwane for further investigation,”

Mashaba was arrested on 21 August 2024. He appeared before court on multiple occasions and was found guilty on both counts on 8 June 2026, the police said. The sentencing hearing took place on Tuesday in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court, according to the statement.

Police reaction

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, commended the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for securing the conviction and sentence. Scheepers also reiterated the SAPS commitment to thorough investigation of criminal cases and bringing perpetrators before the courts, irrespective of social or economic standing, the police said.