A Gauteng businessman and agricultural investor has accused a former farm manager and his family of orchestrating a sustained campaign of sabotage, intimidation, theft and racial harassment following the purchase of a commercial citrus farm in Musina, Limpopo.
Ntuthuko Shezi, founder and CEO of Livestock Wealth, claims repeated failures by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) have left him and his staff without protection.
Shezi said the company legally acquired the farm at a public auction in August 2023 and temporarily retained the previous farm manager, Kobus Strydom, to ensure operational continuity.
“We bought the farm legally at auction and appointed an experienced manager to run operations on our behalf,” Shezi said.
At the time, he said Strydom’s experience and his wife’s links to multinational exporter Dole gave confidence that the transition would be smooth and export markets would remain accessible.
Allegations of sabotage and misconduct
Within months of the acquisition, Shezi alleges the farm was being deliberately undermined.
“We later discovered that he was not acting in our best interests and was actively sabotaging the farm so that we would fail,” he said.
Strydom was replaced in December 2023 by a new manager, Themba Ngwenya, who allegedly uncovered widespread misconduct.
According to Shezi, workers paid by Livestock Wealth were diverted to Strydom’s private farming operations, while a previously undisclosed farmhouse was occupied by Strydom’s relatives using water and electricity paid for by the company despite written notices to vacate.
Tensions escalated when Shezi attempted to move into the farmhouse.
“He threatened me with violence and with having me arrested for trying to move into our own property,” Shezi claimed.
Ngwenya allegedly uncovered large-scale theft and resource abuse, including illegal water and electricity connections diverting supply to adjacent orchards. Electricity costs allegedly surged to R130,000 per month, while nearly R1 million worth of citrus packaging was allegedly stolen from the packhouse.
“Even his garden worker was on our payroll as a ghost employee,” Shezi alleged.
Criminal cases and escalating tensions
A criminal case relating to alleged theft of water and electricity was opened at the Musina Police Station in January 2024. Strydom was arrested and released on bail.
Shezi claims violence escalated after the arrest. In one incident, Strydom’s son allegedly damaged Ngwenya’s vehicle and was arrested and released on bail. Weeks later, Shezi alleges Strydom repeatedly rammed Ngwenya’s vehicle while he was inside.
The case was initially opened as attempted murder but later downgraded to malicious damage to property, according to Shezi.
Ngwenya continues to suffer psychological trauma following the incident, Shezi said.
He alleges four criminal cases have been opened against members of the same family, with bail granted on each occasion.
Protection orders and legal action
Protection orders were obtained against both father and son, with automatic arrest warrants in the event of violations. However, Shezi claims the orders were not enforced.
After lodging a formal complaint with the NPA, he said the authority apologised for the conduct of officials and offered additional training on bail cancellation procedures.
On 30 November 2025, Strydom’s son allegedly hurled insults and threw a stone at the packhouse, breaking a window. A case was opened on 1 December 2025.
Shezi and Ngwenya have since approached the Limpopo High Court seeking the revocation of bail, arguing the state has failed in its constitutional duty to protect victims and witnesses.
“It has become clear that ordinary South Africans must now go to court to force the protectors of justice to do their jobs,” Shezi said.
He has also called for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to review all related cases and for the matters to be moved out of Musina.
“This is not just our fight,” he said. “This is about making sure that the justice system works equally for everyone.”
Response from Strydom and NPA
In response to queries, Strydom said the allegations are subject to pending legal proceedings and he is therefore unable to respond in detail.
“However, please be advised that these allegations are false and defamatory,” he said, adding that Shezi will face a defamation claim.
A media query was also sent to the NPA. At the time of publication, no response had been received.
