POLOKWANE — The Limpopo Hawks have told the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court that they have a strong case against Tshwane Metro Police Constable Peter Nonyane and his wife, attorney Charlotte Tibana, who are facing fraud and money laundering charges linked to the handling of three deceased estates.

Hawks investigation officer Colonel Putiki Daniel Makuwa, who is leading the investigation, testified that information gathered by eight members of his investigation team had uncovered evidence allegedly linking the couple to the unlawful use of estate funds.

Makuwa told the court that the investigation revealed that Nonyane was allegedly the leading negotiator in the purchase of a Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 at McCarthy Mercedes-Benz Wonderboom in Pretoria.

According to the Hawks, the vehicle was valued at about R1.75 million, and Nonyane and Tibana allegedly negotiated with a sales consultant identified only as Jacky for a discount on the used G-Wagon to pay R1 650 million.

The deal was allegedly concluded on 28 October 2024.

Makuwa said Tibana allegedly transferred R100,000.00 from Masha Estate funds into the Mercedes-Benz account while the couple was at the dealership.

The following day, she allegedly transferred a further R1.650 million to the Mercedes-Benz account.

The Hawks allege that Tibana later realised that the total amount transferred exceeded the negotiated purchase price and contacted the dealership, requesting that the additional R100,000 be transferred into her husband’s account ( accused 2).

The dealership allegedly became suspicious of the transaction and refused to release the vehicle after questioning the source of the money and the couple’s alleged authority to use the estate funds.

Makuwa told the court that the dealership subsequently refused a refund.

The Hawks further allege that Nonyane and Tibana later returned to the Wonderboom dealership, where Nonyane allegedly arrived armed with a pistol and threatened the life of the sales consultant.

The matter was subsequently reported to the Hawks and a criminal investigation was launched.

Makuwa said investigators approached the Master of the High Court and obtained files relating to estates handled by Tibana Attorneys.

During the investigation, the Hawks allegedly discovered that funds belonging to another deceased estate, identified as the Mathabatha Estate, had been transferred into the Masha Estate account and were allegedly used to maintain the couple’s lifestyle.

The court heard that the couple had also allegedly built a large mansion in Mageva village outside Giyani.

Makuwa further alleged that Nonyane had misrepresented himself to the Mercedes-Benz dealership as having lawful authority over the estate funds, while Tibana allegedly acted as an executor appointed through the courts.

The investigator said he contacted the wife of the deceased to establish whether she had authorised Nonyane to purchase the Mercedes-Benz AMG G63.

According to Makuwa, the deceased’s wife denied giving such permission.

REQUESTED MEETING WITH THE HAWKS

The court heard that Tibana allegedly contacted Makuwa by email in November after becoming aware of the Hawks investigation.

Makuwa said the email contained a request for a meeting with the investigation team.

According to the investigator, Tibana, who was heavily pregnant at the time, attended the meeting accompanied by two women.

Makuwa testified that Tibana allegedly pleaded with the investigators to withdraw the case and admitted that she had made a mistake.

The meeting was later adjourned after Tibana allegedly became emotional and cried heavily, with Makuwa saying the investigators were concerned about her health and that of her unborn babies.

Makuwa said Tibana was questioned about the Mathabatha Estate and confirmed that the deceased had been a former teacher who lived in Zebediela under Lepelle-Nkumbi Municipality.

THIRD ESTATE

Maswanganyi Estate also raised in court
The Hawks also linked the investigation to a third estate — that of the late Thomas Maswanganyi.

MDN News received information from the family spokesperson that Maswanganyi was a member of the Maswanganyi Royal Family and the younger brother of the late Chief Mbazima Willy Mpaka, who died in 2018.

Makuwa said the estate had initially been handled by attorney Musa Maluleke of Ndzalama Ngobeni Attorneys, who practised at the Old Mutual Buildings in Giyani.

The estate was subsequently transferred to Tibana Attorneys, with Tibana allegedly appointed as executor by the courts.

It is alleged that the Maswanganyi Estate had approximately R4 million, but that the family received only a small portion of the funds.

HAWKS RAISE FLIGHT-RISK CONCERNS

Makuwa also opposed the couple being released on bail, arguing that they posed a potential flight risk.

He told the court that the accused had travelled outside South Africa on several occasions, including trips to China and Turkey.

During a court demonstration, the Hawks allegedly showed that the couple’s passports contained evidence of international travel, with Makuwa saying the passports appeared to contain only return stamps to South Africa.

He argued that the couple could potentially obtain second passports and evade trial.

“We live in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Makuwa

Makuwa told the court, according to the evidence presented, arguing that it would be relatively easy for the accused to obtain alternative travel documents.

He also raised the possibility that the couple could have investments in some of the countries they had visited.

The court, which was packed with supporters of the accused as well as relatives of some of the deceased estates, also heard allegations about the couple’s lifestyle.

Makuwa argued that their alleged display of wealth showed a lack of remorse towards the families affected by the alleged misuse of estate funds.

He specifically referred to a recent video allegedly showing the couple displaying large amounts of cash during the wedding celebration of a Giyani businessman Lawrence “Kokwani” Chauke” and his wife.

The Hawks Oppose Bail maintain that the couple acted with a common purpose and knew what they were doing.

Makuwa’s evidence forms part of the State’s opposition to bail, with the prosecution arguing that the seriousness of the allegations, the strength of the evidence and the potential flight risk justify keeping the accused in custody.

The bail hearing will resume on Wednesday afternoon, when the defence team is expected to cross-examine Makuwa at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court.

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