State request a hefty R100 000.00 for bail to be granted against Rirhandzu Tibana and Jabulani Maluleke
POLOKWANE: The State has not opposed bail for Rirhandzu Tibana and Jabulani Maluleke in the multimillion-rand estate fraud and money-laundering case. However the state has requested but the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court to set bail at R100 000 each.
Tibana and Maluleke are among the accused facing charges linked to allegations that they assisted suspended attorney Charlotte Tibana and her co-accused husband, TMPD officer Constable Peter Nonyane, in the alleged misappropriation of estate funds.
Charlotte Tibana was entrusted by the Master of the High Court to act as executor in several estates.
Rirhandzu Tibana, Charlotte’s younger sister and a former employee at C Tibana Attorneys, testified through her legal representatives from Hlawu Maluleke Attorneys that she is currently unemployed. She told the court that she remains financially responsible for monthly instalments on a Ford Raptor and a Haval Jolion.
NPA prosecutor Martin Molekwane argued that Tibana’s ability to finance the vehicles indicated that she could afford the proposed bail amount.
Maluleke, who is represented by attorney Kanego Mokwena, told the court that he is a former Mercedes-Benz auto technician and currently supports his three children through his automotive maintenance business.
Magistrate Mpho Radebe reserved judgment on the bail applications until 8 October 2026.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Tibana and Nonyane have been granted permission to remain at the Polokwane Police Station while awaiting preparations for their pre-trial conference.
The accused face additional charges arising from allegations involving funds belonging to the Mamaphuru estate between 2024 and 2026. Charlotte Tibana and Nonyane’s charges have reportedly increased to 117 counts each.
All the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
