Bail denied for attorney, TMPD official over alleged R6m deceased-estate fraud

Attorney Charlotte Tibana, 33, and Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) official Peter Nonyane, 36, have been denied bail by the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court in a case involving 43 charges, including theft, fraud and money laundering.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) successfully opposed bail, arguing that Tibana had allegedly interfered with the investigation by contacting witnesses and police officials and asking that the matter be closed.

The State told the court that investigators were in possession of voice recordings allegedly sent to complainants and that Tibana continued contacting witnesses while in custody.

The State also raised concerns over several properties allegedly owned by Tibana, claiming that some were registered in the name of her younger sibling, Rirzhaku Tibana, allegedly to conceal proceeds of criminal activities.

The charges relate to the administration of deceased estates for which Tibana had been appointed executor. The State alleges that about R6 million was unlawfully withdrawn from accounts linked to different deceased estates and subsequently concealed or laundered.

Among the allegations is that approximately R1.65 million was used to purchase a second-hand Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 from a Pretoria dealership. Nonyane is also accused of using some of the proceeds for stokvel contributions and to build a residential property.

In another estate, valued at R4.24 million, the State alleges that only R1.47 million was paid to the deceased’s children, with the remainder allegedly misappropriated.

Nonyane was arrested in Pretoria on 14 August 2026, while Tibana was arrested in Polokwane on 17 August.

The State argued that the seriousness of the charges, strength of its case, ongoing investigation and alleged witness interference justified keeping both accused behind bars.

The court agreed and denied both accused bail.

The matter was postponed to 6 November 2026 for further investigations. Both Tibana and Nonyane remain in custody.