COURT GRANTS PRESERVATION ORDER AGAINST GIYANI PROPERTIES WORTH OVER R18 MILLION
10 September 2025
COURT GRANTS PRESERVATION ORDER AGAINST GIYANI PROPERTIES WORTH OVER R18 MILLION
Polokwane, Limpopo – The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Limpopo Division has secured a preservation order from the Polokwane High Court against four properties in Giyani valued at approximately R18.2 million. The order, granted on 05 September 2025, relates to Erf 2B, Erf 58B, Erf 64B, and Erf 227B in Kremertart Street, Giyani. The successful preservation is the result of joint 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 the proceeds of unlawful activities and/or were used as instruments to commit offences, including: Fraud, theft, and money laundering, Contravention of the 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, 2003 (MFMA), Contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (PFMA) and Treasury Regulations, and Contraventions of sections 5 and 6 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 1998 (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/or Magezi Ben Mashaba (Mashaba Senior), through a company known as Mbangwa Trading and Projects. The sales purportedly involved Erf 2B, Erf 58B, Erf 64B, and Erf 227B for amounts ranging from R290 000 to R450 000.
Payments were allegedly made directly into Jakobus’s personal 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.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Advocate Ivy Thenga, welcomed the court order, stating, the AFU will intensify its efforts to pursue high-profile suspects, particularly through the use of its civil forfeiture powers under Chapter 6 of POCA. This enables us to recover stolen funds, including those hidden in foreign jurisdictions. Crime will not pay.” She further commended the collaborative work of the DPCI, Anti-Corruption Unit, and AFU, emphasising their dedication to safeguarding public resources.
Issued by:
Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi
Regional Spokesperson
NPA Limpopo Division
074 823 3608