Embattled Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) Constable Peter “Gagash” Nonyane and his wife, suspended attorney Charlotte Tibana, are expected to return to the Polokwane High Court on 21 October 2026 in a renewed attempt to secure bail in an alleged R11 million deceased-estates fraud and money-laundering case.
The couple remain behind bars after Polokwane Magistrate Godfrey Netshiozwi dismissed their initial bail applications on 4 September 2026.
Their previous attempt to challenge the ruling, scheduled for 23 September, did not proceed as expected after their defence lawyer, Advocate Mokgadi Makhurupetje, requested that the urgent application be removed from the High Court roll.
The defence is now expected to make another attempt to overturn the bail decision on 21 October, although the matter remains subject to confirmation of the court proceedings.
Why the couple were denied bail
The State opposed the couple’s release, citing the seriousness of the allegations, the substantial sums allegedly involved and concerns about possible interference with witnesses or the ongoing investigation.
The prosecution alleges that money belonging to several deceased estates was unlawfully withdrawn and transferred through various bank accounts during the administration of the estates.
During their initial bail applications, the defence proposed conditions intended to address the State’s concerns, including electronic monitoring for Nonyane and regular reporting to police.
However, Magistrate Netshiozwi dismissed both applications on 4 September, leaving the couple in custody.
The anticipated High Court proceedings would provide their legal team with another opportunity to challenge that decision.
Co-accused arrested on 27 September and granted bail
While Nonyane and Tibana remain behind bars, two of their co-accused, Rirhandzu Tibana and businessman Jabulani Maluleke, were granted bail of R60,000 each by the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 8 October 2026.
The pair were arrested on 27 September 2026 and subsequently joined the case alongside the couple. Rirhandzu is Charlotte Tibana’s younger sister, while Maluleke is a director of Risima Jeje Trading Enterprise, a company also implicated in the proceedings.
The State did not oppose their bail applications.
The court ordered Rirhandzu to report to Letsitele Police Station every Friday before 18:00, while Maluleke must report to Pretoria Central Police Station on the same terms.
Their release on bail marks a significant development in the case, although both continue to face the allegations against them.
The matter was postponed to 6 November 2026 for further investigations and to allow the two accused to be joined with Nonyane and Charlotte Tibana in the ongoing proceedings.
How the R11 million investigation began
The investigation initially centred on allegations involving the estates of the late Isaiah Masha and Jacob Mathabatha.
According to evidence presented in court, approximately R650,000 from the Masha estate and R1.1 million from the Mathabatha estate were allegedly combined in an attempt to purchase a pre-owned Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 worth approximately R1.65 million.
The proposed transaction was reportedly pursued at a dealership in Wonderboom, Pretoria.
The State alleges that the money was unlawfully taken from estate accounts administered by Charlotte Tibana, who had acted as executor.
The transaction attracted scrutiny when the dealership requested documentation authorising the use of the estate funds.
The proposed purchase subsequently became one of the transactions examined as part of the investigation.
Prosecutors allege that the broader scheme involved the unlawful withdrawal and movement of money from multiple deceased-estate accounts, with funds allegedly passing through different accounts to conceal their origins.
The allegations remain before the courts and have not been proven.
Arrests and charges
African Times previously reported that Nonyane was arrested in Pretoria on 14 August 2026, while Charlotte Tibana handed herself over to police in Polokwane on 17 August 2026.
The couple initially faced 43 charges of fraud, theft and money laundering.
The investigation subsequently expanded as investigators examined additional transactions and more alleged victims came forward.
Rirhandzu Tibana and Maluleke were arrested on 27 September 2026 as the investigation widened, with Risima Jeje Trading Enterprise also being brought into the proceedings.
The accused are linked to allegations involving approximately R11 million and multiple deceased estates.
The prosecution has indicated that the broader investigation covers 15 estates.
With the couple’s renewed bail bid expected on 21 October, attention will turn to whether the High Court will consider their challenge and whether they will be granted an opportunity to await trial outside custody.
