Will the Defense team managed to crumble the state second witness this afternoon?
The Defense team is to cross examine the State witness, following an added another fraud charge against attorney Charlotte Tibana, 33, and her husband, Tshwane Metro Police Department officer Peter Nonyane, 36, also known as “Gagash”, as their bail application continued in the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon.
The new charge follows the appearance of a complainant from Moetji, who allegedly told investigators that she was defrauded of R1,380,901.50 from a deceased estate that was being handled by Tibana.
The State successfully applied for the joinder of the new charge, bringing the number of deceased estates allegedly linked to the couple’s case to four. The estates are collectively valued at more than R4 million.
Tibana and Nonyane are facing multiple counts of fraud and money laundering.
The State alleges that part of the money allegedly obtained through the estates was used to purchase luxury items, including a Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 valued at R1.65 million.
The couple has remained in custody as the State continues to oppose their release on bail.
During the proceedings, the State argued that Tibana allegedly abused her position as an executor of the deceased estates and attempted to interfere with the investigation.
Limpopo Hawks investigator Colonel Daniel Makuwa remained on the witness stand as the State continued presenting its case against the accused in its opposition to bail.
The State is expected to rely on the evidence gathered during its investigation to argue that the allegations against the couple are serious and that their release could compromise the investigation.
Tibana and Nonyane have not been convicted of any offence and remain legally presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The bail application is continuing in the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court.
