The bail application of Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) officer Peter “Greater Gagash” Nonyane and his wife, attorney Charlotte Tibana, has taken another dramatic turn, with a senior investigator telling the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court that Nonyane played a central role in the attempted purchase of a Mercedes-Benz G63 using money linked to the Masha estate.

Former Vodacom Senior Forensic Investigator Colonel Daniel Makuwa has rejected the accused’s assertion that the State’s case is weak and that they should be released on bail.

Makuwa, who returned to the South African Police Service (SAPS) after a short stint at the telecommunications company, testified on Tuesday that Nonyane, also known as Lamasweet, allegedly misrepresented himself to Mercedes-Benz during negotiations for the luxury vehicle.

According to Makuwa, Nonyane presented himself as the applicant or purchaser of the vehicle, despite the funds allegedly coming from the Masha estate.

He said Nonyane and Tibana negotiated the price of the vehicle with a salesperson known only as Jacky, eventually securing a discount of almost R20,000.

The investigator told the court that a total of about R1.75 million was transferred to the dealership on 28 October 2024. The first payment was R100.000.00 followed by R1.650.000.

However, after the transaction had been concluded, Jacky allegedly requested an authorisation letter from Maria Masha, the wife of the late Isaiah Masha, after noticing that the money had come from the estate.

Makuwa said Nonyane and Tibana failed to provide the required authorisation, resulting in the transaction falling through.

Makuwa, who has more than 20 years’ experience investigating commercial crimes, fraud and corruption, told the court that Maria denied receiving any money from the estate and said she had no knowledge of the intended vehicle purchase.

“The state has a strong case against not just accused number two but both accused persons to the fact that there was some transfers that were made out of one account of Mrs. Masha to Wonderboom Mercedes-Benz. We were approached by one of the clients who came to our office to lay a criminal case against the accused number two, Greater Gagash. The complaint was in relation to the purchase of Mercedes-Benz at Wonderboom in Pretoria. That was how our investigation started. The alleged vehicle that was about to be purchased was Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 to the value of R1.679.990.09. We followed that information only to find that accused number two was the applicant to purchase the vehicle even though the money was coming from Masha Estate,” Makuwa said.

“What happened was that both accused persons went to Mercedes-Benz and got assisted by a salesperson, Jacky. The accused number two played a pivotal role in the sense that he was the one who was leading the application, filled the forms and led the accused number two in purchasing the vehicle.

“The negotiation went further that the price of the vehicle was also negotiated up until they reached a conclusion that the motor vehicle will be R1.650.000 instead. Both accused were told that purchasing a vehicle is not like buying bread. More information will be required from you before you get the vehicle. The deal was sealed,” he further told the court.

Moreover, the Polokwane Magistrate Court heard about another alleged red flag in the transaction.

Makuwa testified that Tibana allegedly contacted Jacky after the payment had been made, claiming that she had overpaid the dealership by R100,000 due to an error.

She allegedly requested that the money be transferred to her husband, Nonyane.

Previous allegations in estate fraud case

Tibana and Nonyane are facing charges of theft, fraud, and money laundering.

Nonyane, 36, was arrested in Pretoria on Friday, 14 August, while Tibana, 33, was arrested in Polokwane on Monday, 17 August.

According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Limpopo regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi, the State alleges that approximately R1.75 million was unlawfully withdrawn from the bank accounts of two deceased estates.

The money was allegedly transferred and used in a manner that prejudiced the estates and deprived their lawful beneficiaries of their inheritance.

The State further alleges that approximately R1.75 million was used to purchase a second-hand Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 from a dealership in Pretoria.

Tibana, who is the executor of the two estates, is accused of authorising and facilitating the transfer of funds from the estate accounts.

The case escalated last week when a fifth charge was added against Tibana. The additional theft charge was brought alongside the existing fraud and money-laundering allegations.

Public profile and lavish lifestyle

African Times News previously reported that Nonyane has over the years built a prominent public profile as an entertainment promoter and supporter of Tsonga music and culture.

He is also known on social media for showcasing an affluent lifestyle, including high-end fashion brands such as Gucci, Amiri, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Dsquared2.

In addition, Nonyane has been associated with several luxury vehicles, including a Ford Ranger Raptor, Volkswagen Golf 8R and Mercedes-Benz V-Class.

He has previously showcased his lifestyle and property investments on social media, including a double-storey house in his home village of Mageva in Giyani, which he has said is worth about R2.1 million.

The court proceedings are continuing.