Polokwane Magistrate Mpho Radebe has granted Rirhandzu Tibana and businessman Jabulani Maluleke R60,000 bail each in the case involving alleged fraud, theft and money laundering linked to deceased estates worth millions of rand.

Tibana, 30, the younger sister of suspended attorney Charlotte Tibana, and Maluleke, 43, a director of Risima Jeje Trading Enterprise, appeared before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for judgment on their bail applications.

The State did not oppose bail, despite alleging that the two are linked to a wider scheme involving approximately R11 million taken from deceased-estate accounts.

In granting bail, Radebe said the court had considered the applicants’ personal circumstances, the evidence before it and the investigating officer’s position that their release would not create a risk to the public or the investigation.

“This court finds that indeed the details of the case do permit that I release them from custody. Therefore, bail is then granted.”

Radebe set the bail amount at R60,000 for each accused, saying the court had considered the seriousness of the allegations, the possible punishment if convicted, as well as their family, business and community ties.
“What is properly suitable as a bail quantum is an amount of 60,000 that comes with normal legal conditions.”

The magistrate further ordered both accused to report to police every Friday before 18:00.

“Both applicants shall then report to their nearest police station every Friday before 18 hours. Accused number three at the Letsitele [Police Station] and accused number four at Pretoria Central.”

Tibana must also report to Letsitele Police Station, while Maluleke must report to Pretoria Central Police Station every Friday evening.

Radebe postponed the matter to 6 November 2026 for Tibana and Maluleke to join Charlotte Tibana and her husband, Tshwane Metro Police Department officer Peter “Gagash” Nonyane, as investigations continue.

How the case started

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 about R1.65 million 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 proposed luxury-vehicle transaction raised questions at the dealership when documentation authorising the use of the estate funds was requested. The transaction subsequently became a key part of the investigation.

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 before the investigation expanded and additional alleged transactions and accused were brought into the case.

More accused join the case

Rirhandzu Tibana and Maluleke, a close associate of Nonyane, were subsequently arrested on 27th September and joined as accused alongside Charlotte Tibana and Nonyane.

The State alleges that money originating from deceased estates was transferred through different accounts, including an account linked to Risima Jeje Trading Enterprise, of which Maluleke is a director.

African Times previously reported that investigators had identified transactions involving Maluleke’s account, including allegations that more than R1 million moved through the account before being transferred elsewhere.

The State also alleges that Rirhandzu received funds linked to the alleged scheme and that some of the money was used in transactions involving vehicles.

The company Risima Jeje Trading Enterprise has also been joined as an accused in the matter.

African Times recently reported the following estates and amounts alleged by the State:

• Masha Estate— approximately R650,000
• Mathabatha Estate— approximately R1.1 million
• Maswanganyi Estate— approximately R2.75 million
• Moetji Estate— approximately R1.38 million
• Kobe Estate— approximately R800,250
• Mphahlele Estate— approximately R4.3 million
• Tlabile Estate— approximately R110,000
• Mashamaite and Shikwambana estates — approximately R870,000 combined
• Moroane Estate— approximately R337,000
• Mampuru Estate — approximately R487,000

The figures form part of the State’s allegations and relate to transactions investigators are examining. The prosecution has indicated that the broader investigation involves 15 deceased estates.