EASTERN CAPE — Suspended Attorney Precious Muleya, whose arrest at OR Tambo International Airport followed an alleged period of evading arrest, will face the next stage of a R5.2 million Road Accident Fund (RAF) fraud case in the KuGompo Specialised Commercial Crimes Court after the magistrates’ court denied her bail.

Muleya, a Zimbabwean national and former practising attorney, is expected to make her first appearance in the specialised commercial crimes court on 11 November 2026, following the decision to keep her behind bars pending further proceedings.

The case centres on allegations that fraudulent documents, including medico-legal reports and professional invoices, were used to support RAF claims lodged on behalf of at least 12 beneficiaries, resulting in payments allegedly obtained through misrepresentation.

Muleya faces a charge of fraud, alternatively theft, relating to claims valued at approximately R5.2 million.

Her bail application turned on a central question: whether she could be trusted to remain in South Africa and stand trial, given the circumstances surrounding her arrest and her previous departure from the country.

The State argued that she posed a flight risk, pointing to her ability to travel internationally and the fact that she had left South Africa after a warrant for her arrest had been issued.

Arrest at OR Tambo after arriving from the UK

African Times News reported on 5 October 2026 that Muleya was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on 30 September after arriving from the United Kingdom.

The arrest brought her into the criminal justice system after she had allegedly been evading arrest. She initially appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court in Gauteng before the matter was transferred to the Eastern Cape.

The allegations against her date back several years and concern RAF claims allegedly submitted between August 2019 and February 2021.

During her bail application, Muleya attempted to persuade the court that she intended to remain in South Africa and resume her professional activities.

In an affidavit submitted in support of her application, she said she planned to return permanently and reopen her law firm, Precious Muleya Attorneys. She also pointed to her child’s presence in South Africa and said she remained in regular contact with her clients.

However, the State challenged the assurances she offered.

State Advocate Aphiwe Mkrazuli-Hubela led evidence from the Hawks investigating officer, who told the court that Muleya had left the country after a warrant for her arrest was issued.

The officer also testified that Muleya had a return ticket to the UK when she was arrested at the airport.

For the prosecution, these circumstances raised concerns about the likelihood of her remaining available to attend future court proceedings.

The State further argued that Muleya had the financial means to leave the country and lacked established family ties or property in South Africa that would sufficiently anchor her to the jurisdiction.

The court accepted the State’s arguments and refused bail, meaning Muleya will remain in custody pending further proceedings, subject to any subsequent court decision.

Alleged R5.2 million scheme involving RAF claims

The allegations stem from claims lodged with the RAF on behalf of at least 12 road accident victims.
At the time of the alleged offences, Muleya was an admitted attorney of the High Court and practised through Precious Muleya Attorneys.

According to the Hawks’ investigation, the RAF allegedly made payments ranging from R150,000 to R947,000 between 29 August 2019 and 19 February 2021.

Investigators allege that information submitted in support of the claims was manipulated to inflate their value, resulting in payments that would otherwise not have been justified.

The claims reportedly involved beneficiaries from several areas in the Eastern Cape, including KuGompo, Centane, Butterworth, KwaBhaca and Mdantsane, as well as Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal.

The investigation also raised questions about the authenticity of supporting medical and professional documentation.

According to the State’s account, several claimants had allegedly not been examined or treated by the medical and professional practitioners whose invoices and medico-legal reports were submitted to support the claims.

The reports and invoices are alleged to have been forged and used to persuade the RAF to release funds.

Investigations completed

The State informed the court that investigations had been completed, with the case now scheduled to proceed to the KuGompo Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 11 November.

The National Prosecuting Authority Eastern Cape Division has reiterated its commitment to combating fraud and corruption, protecting public resources and ensuring that those accused of commercial crimes are held accountable through the criminal justice system.

In the Limpopo court, the infamous Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) officer Peter “Gagash” Nonyane and his wife, suspended attorney Charlotte Tibana, will remain behind bars after the Polokwane High Court dismissed their urgent bail appeal on Thursday.

The Judge Karin Leanne Pillay handed down the ruling in open court, upholding the decision of the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court, which refused the couple bail on 4 September 2026.

The appeal was argued virtually on Wednesday, with the court delivering its judgment the following morning.

In dismissing the appeal, Judge Pillay found that the State had presented sufficient grounds to justify keeping the accused in custody, pointing to the seriousness of the charges, the strength of the State’s case, the potential risk of witness interference and the fact that investigations are still ongoing.

The couple face a combined 101 counts of theft, fraud and money laundering in connection with the alleged misappropriation of funds from deceased estates, with the reported amounts approximately R11 million.

Their co-accused, Rirhandzu, younger sister of Charlotte and Jabulani Maluleke, director of Risima Jeje Trading Enterprise and close friend to Nonyane, were in the past granted 60-thousand rand bail each.

The case centres on allegations that funds linked to at least 15 deceased estates were unlawfully diverted, with investigators continuing to probe the circumstances surrounding the transactions. The matter is expected to return to court on 6 November 2026.