State expands deceased-estate fraud and money-laundering case to 111 charges
The State has introduced further allegations and additional accused in the ongoing deceased-estate fraud case involving suspended attorney Charlotte Tibana and her husband, Tshwane Metro Police Department Constable Peter “Gagash” Nonyane.
The latest allegations before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court expand the case to a number of counts involving the alleged misappropriation, theft and defrauding of funds belonging to several deceased estates and their beneficiaries.
The State alleges that Tibana, Nonyane and other accused acted together in some of the alleged offences, with the money allegedly used to finance a luxury lifestyle between 2024 and 2026.
According to the State, Counts 44 to 57 relate to allegations that accused number one allegedly appropriated funds from the Mathabatha estate between May and July 2026.
The State further alleges that Counts 71 to 73 were committed by accused numbers one, two and three with a common intention to defraud the Mathabatha family.
The prosecution alleges that accused number one transferred money to accused number five, who was allegedly a company signatory of Risima Jeje Trading , while a portion of the funds was allegedly transferred to Constable Nonyane.
The State further alleges that accused numbers one, three and five defrauded the Mphahlele family of estate funds.
Another allegation concerns money allegedly transferred from the Moetji estate to a company account linked to accused number four.
In Count 77, accused number four Jabulani Maluleke who brought his own representative allegedly acquired more than R400 000 from funds belonging to the Moetji estate.
Count 78 relates to accused number one, who is alleged to have misused funds belonging to the Mashamaite family.
The State alleges that the estates of the Maswanganyi, Mathabatha, Masha, Kobe, Mashamaite, Morewane, Mampuri and Shikwambane families were among those allegedly defrauded or prejudiced.
The prosecution alleges that the funds were used to finance their luxury lifestyle.
The State has also brought allegations against accused number three, Rirhandzu Tibana, who is accused of theft by general deficiency.
According to the allegations, she received a monthly salary which the State claims enabled accused number one and two to purchase a Ford Ranger Raptor using the particulars of Rirhandzu at Ford dealership.
Counts 102 and 103 relate to allegations against accused number one for intentionally transferring monthly salary payments to Charlotte younger sister through C Tibana Attorneys.
The State has also charged accused number one in Counts 109 to 111 in connection with allegations involving the Shikwambane family estate.
The latest developments add to the case against Charlotte Tibana and Nonyane, who were initially arrested in August over allegations involving the unlawful withdrawal and laundering of funds from deceased estates.
Nonyane was arrested in Pretoria on 14 August 2026, while Tibana handed herself over to authorities in Polokwane three days later. The State initially alleged that approximately R1.75 million had been unlawfully withdrawn from deceased estates, including money allegedly used in the purchase of a Mercedes-Benz AMG G63.
The charges have since increased substantially. Earlier this month, reports indicated that the couple faced allegations involving more than R6 million and several deceased estates.
The defence team, Hlawu Maluleke Attorneys, has requested that accused number two be moved from the correctional facility to Polokwane Police Station to allow his legal representatives to consult with him before his next court appearance on Friday, when the additional charges are expected to be addressed.
Accused number three and four are expected to be afforded an opportunity to bring a formal bail application on 3 October 2026
The matter remains before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court, with further investigations continuing.
- 111 charges estate fraud, Charlotte Tibana charges, Charlotte Tibana estate fraud, deceased estate fraud South Africa, deceased estate theft, estate funds fraud, estate money laundering case, Mathabatha estate, Mphahlele family estate, Peter Nonyane charges, Peter Nonyane fraud case, Polokwane Magistrate’s Court