A Tshwane Metro Police Department officer has been arrested in Pretoria in connection with an alleged R1.75 million estate fraud and money-laundering scheme involving the purchase of a luxury Mercedes-Benz AMG G63.
Peter Nonyane, 36, was arrested on Friday, 14 August, by members of the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) unit in Limpopo.
Nonyane is accused of being part of a scheme in which money allegedly belonging to the estate of a deceased man was unlawfully diverted and used in the purchase of the high-end vehicle.
According to the Hawks’ investigation, the matter came to light after Trevor Ramaboa, an investigator employed by McCarthy Mercedes-Benz Wonderboom, reported suspicious transactions linked to the purchase of the vehicle.
The investigation centres on transactions allegedly made on 28 October 2024.
The Hawks allege that , a female suspect, Charlotte Tibana unlawfully transferred funds from a trust account linked to an estate into the bank account of the late Masha’s estate.
On the same day, McCarthy Mercedes-Benz Wonderboom allegedly received two payments of R1.65 million and R100,000 into its Standard Bank account.
The R1.65 million payment was allegedly intended to settle the purchase of a pre-owned Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 valued at R1.65 million.
However, according to the investigation, the details of the intended purchasers did not correspond with those of the deceased estate, raising suspicion about the source of the funds.
The Hawks allege that Tibana and Nonyane acted with a common purpose in arranging the purchase of the luxury vehicle.
Further investigations allegedly established that approximately R1.75 million had been unlawfully withdrawn from the estate.
It is further alleged that some of the money was deposited into Nonyane’s bank account and subsequently laundered through the purchase of the Mercedes-Benz.
The alleged scheme is said to have prejudiced the estate and its lawful beneficiaries.
The matter was subsequently investigated by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Limpopo and submitted to the State Advocate for a decision to prosecute.
Arrest warrants were then issued for the suspects.
Nonyane, who is listed as a TMPD officer and police official, was arrested in Pretoria on Friday.
His alleged accomplice, Tibana, remains at large and is being traced by investigators.
Nonyane is expected to make his first appearance at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 17 August.
