A senior Hawks investigator has raised concerns about the possibility of evidence being tampered with at the Master of the High Court in Polokwane, where attorney Charlotte Tibana previously worked.

Colonel Daniel Makuwa, the State’s investigating officer, expressed reservations about Tibana’s possible contacts at the Master’s Office, saying he could not rule out the possibility that she might have access to people who could interfere with evidence.

Makuwa made the remarks on Friday as he concluded his cross-examination in the bail application of Tibana and her husband, Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) officer Peter “Gagash” Nonyane.

Tibana, 33, and Nonyane, 36, appeared before the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 28 August 2026, for the continuation of their bail application. The matter was postponed to Tuesday.

During cross-examination by defence lawyer Hlawulani Maluleke, Makuwa conceded that Tibana would not be able to alter banking records or instruct a bank to erase evidence of transactions.

“She is of the view that there is no way she can alter the bank records, is that correct?” Maluleke asked.

“Correct,” answered Makuwa.

“And that there is no evidence that she can instruct the bank to erase these records,” Maluleke pressed again.

Makuwa answered “that is correct.”

Maluleke then put it to Makuwa that there was also no evidence that Tibana could instruct the Master of the High Court to alter its records.

“And that there is no evidence that she can instruct the Master of the High Court to alter the records?” he added.

Makuwa replied, “Your Worship, on that one I cannot confirm because what I know is that the information that we just received is the accused number one before the court used to work at the same Office Master of the High Court in Polokwane. So I would not know if she will have contact with people who are working in altering evidence that is there,” Makuwa said.

When Maluleke questioned him about the technology systems currently used by the Master’s Office and whether they would make it difficult to alter records, Makuwa declined to comment.

Maluleke subsequently ended that line of questioning by confirming that Tibana could not destroy the banking paper trail, even if she wanted to.

The couple face 35 counts of fraud and money laundering arising from allegations linked to an attempted purchase of a R1.65 million Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 in Wonderboom, Pretoria, in November 2024.

The State alleges that deceased-estate funds were used in the failed attempt to purchase the luxury vehicle without the required consent letters.

The case has since expanded significantly, with the State bringing additional allegations involving the administration of deceased estates.

On Thursday, African Times News reported that Tibana’s legal troubles had deepened, with the State alleging that more than R800,000 was depleted from another deceased estate in July.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) added 21 fresh charges of fraud and money laundering against Tibana and Nonyane, increasing the charge sheet from 14 to 35 counts.

State prosecutor Martin Molokwane on Thursday asked Magistrate Godfrey Netshiozwi to add the fresh charges after Melita Kobe, a mother of five and widow of the late Lawrance Kobe, allegedly revealed details surrounding the administration of the Kobe estate.

Netshiozwi granted the State’s application to add the charges.

According to the State, the Kobe estate contained approximately R800,250, which was allegedly dissipated through a series of transactions while Tibana was responsible for its administration.

The State alleges that the estate initially held an account with Absa before a new FNB account was opened in the name of the estate and funds were transferred into it.

Lawrance Kobe died on 19 September 2025, leaving his estate to his wife and children.

The State alleges that his widow subsequently appointed Tibana as an executor of the estate on 15 January 2026 to assist with its administration.

Molokwane told the court that the FNB account was allegedly opened without Melita’s authorisation.

The State further alleges that the estate was subsequently depleted, leaving a cash balance of only about R4,000 last month.