POLOKWANE, LIMPOPO – An estate controller employed at the Office of the Master of the High Court and a suspended attorney have appeared in the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court facing corruption charges in connection with an alleged R11 million scheme involving funds belonging to deceased estates.

The accused, 53-year-old Gustavus Mokoana Moloto and attorney Charlotte Tibana, made their first court appearance on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.

According to the State, Moloto faces six counts of corruption and money laundering.

The State alleges that Moloto, who is employed by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development as an estate controller at the Master of the High Court, conspired with Tibana by allegedly providing documents relating to estate funds to C. Tibane Attorneys in exchange for gratification of R10,500 per document.

In a significant development during proceedings, Tibana abandoned her bail application and will therefore not pursue bail when the matter returns to court.

The pair are linked to an ongoing investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team into the alleged misappropriation of approximately R11 million involving 15 deceased estates.

The investigation is focused on allegations of financial misconduct involving funds entrusted to the administration of deceased estates, raising serious questions about the protection of money belonging to beneficiaries.

The Hawks have appealed to members of the public who may have information that could assist the investigation to come forward and report it to the relevant authorities.

Both accused remain in police custody, with the bail proceedings set to continue on 16 November 2026.

The investigation is ongoing.

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