Tshwane Metro Police Department officer Peter “Gagash” Nonyane and his attorney wife, Charlotte Tibana, will remain behind bars after the Polokwane High Court dismissed their bail appeal in a case involving alleged fraud and money laundering linked to deceased estates.
Judge Karin Leanne Pillay handed down the judgment on Thursday, October 22, upholding the earlier decision by the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court to deny the couple bail.
The judge found that the accused had failed to present compelling reasons to justify their release and raised concerns that they could interfere with witnesses.
The court also dismissed their submissions challenging the strength of the state’s case.
Nonyane and Tibana are expected back in court on November 6, alongside their co-accused, Rirhlweni Tibana, Charlotte’s younger sister, and Jabulani Maluleke, a friend of Nonyane.
The case involves 123 charges, including fraud, theft and money laundering, arising from allegations that millions of rands were unlawfully withdrawn from deceased estate accounts administered by Tibana Attorneys.
The state alleges that Charlotte Tibana, who was appointed as an executor to administer the estates, used various transactions to conceal the alleged proceeds of crime.
Investigators allege that some of the money was used to register properties in the name of Rirhlweni Tibana and transferred into the account of Risima Jeje Trading Enterprise.
Among the transactions under investigation is the alleged use of R1.65 million to purchase a second-hand Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 in Pretoria.
Nonyane is also accused of benefiting from the alleged proceeds through stokvel contributions and the construction of a residential property.
The couple were denied bail in early September and will remain in custody pending their next court appearance.
