The bail battle involving Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) officer and social media personality Peter “Gagash” Nonyane and his attorney wife, Charlotte Tibana, has taken a dramatic turn, with the Hawks telling the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court about an alleged suicide threat, concerns over witness interference and an eye-watering R1.65 million Mercedes-Benz G63 transaction allegedly funded with money from a deceased estate.
The couple is facing serious fraud, theft and money-laundering allegations linked to funds allegedly taken from deceased estates. They have pleaded not guilty, and the allegations against them have not been tested in a trial. The state is opposing bail.
The bail application was continuing in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, August 26.
The alleged suicide recording
One of the most startling revelations came when Hawks investigating officer Constable Khutsisho Thobejane told the court that Tibana allegedly threatened to take her own life if she were granted bail.
Thobejane said the alleged conversation had been recorded and indicated that the state could produce the recording in court.
“If the court permits I can bring recordings of the conversations we had. If I am not mistaken, she even said she attempted to kill herself three times,” Thobejane testified.
The allegation has become part of the state’s broader argument that the couple should remain behind bars while investigations continue.
The court has not, however, made a finding that Tibana attempted suicide, and the alleged recording remains evidence presented by the state during a bail application rather than a proven fact.
The R1.65 million G-Wagon bombshell
At the centre of the financial allegations is a luxury Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 that investigators say the couple attempted to purchase for R1.65 million.
Hawks investigators allege that money linked to a deceased estate was transferred to a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Pretoria in October 2024.
Captain Wendy Nkabi previously said approximately R1.75 million had allegedly been unlawfully withdrawn from an estate account. According to the Hawks, R1.65 million was paid towards the vehicle, while another R100,000 was also allegedly transferred to an account linked to the dealership.
The case took an even more extraordinary turn when Hawks Colonel Putiki Daniel Makuwa described the alleged vehicle purchase in court.
According to Makuwa, Nonyane and Tibana negotiated the purchase of the Mercedes-Benz G63 for R1.65 million. The dealership reportedly required additional documentation before releasing a vehicle of that value.
“They were informed that buying a car of such magnitude is not like buying bread at a supermarket,” Makuwa told the court, according to evidence reported by Sowetan.
The transaction allegedly took place on October 28, 2024.
Makuwa testified that R100,000 was first paid to the dealership, followed later that day by R1.65 million.
The Hawks allege the money came from an estate belonging to the late husband of a woman identified in court as Mrs Masha.
‘She was still waiting for her money’
The Hawks say the alleged transaction becomes particularly significant because the beneficiary of the estate allegedly did not know her money was being used to buy a luxury vehicle.
Makuwa testified that investigators contacted the widow after tracing the money.
“She said no. She also told us she was still waiting for the money to be received. She told us she didn’t know her husband’s money was being used to purchase a Mercedes-Benz,” Makuwa said, according to Sowetan.
The evidence paints a picture, according to the state, of money allegedly moving from an estate account into a luxury vehicle transaction while the intended beneficiary was still waiting for her inheritance.
The Hawks further allege that Tibana, who was involved in the administration of the estates, played a role in facilitating the transactions.
The dealership raised red flags
The alleged G-Wagon purchase did not proceed as smoothly as the couple apparently expected.
According to Makuwa, when the couple went to collect the vehicle, the dealership demanded proof of power of attorney.
They allegedly could not provide the required documentation, resulting in the vehicle not being released.
Makuwa told the court that Nonyane then demanded that the money be returned.
The Hawks also allege that Tibana subsequently contacted the dealership and said a mistake had been made in transferring the money, instructing that R100,000 be returned to Nonyane’s bank account.
The investigators are using the alleged transaction as part of the state’s case that the funds were not simply moved accidentally but were allegedly used in a manner that benefited the accused.
Hawks question how the money was spent
The state has also raised questions about Nonyane’s finances.
Another investigating officer told the court that Nonyane earns approximately R11,000 a month from his TMPD employment but was allegedly paying about R46,000 a month towards a Mercedes-Benz V-Class.
The officer argued that Nonyane did not appear to have sufficient legitimate income to sustain that level of expenditure.
The state has also placed emphasis on Nonyane’s public social-media persona and his display of wealth.
The allegations have created a stark contrast between the officer’s official employment and the lifestyle investigators are attempting to place before the court.
Hawks warn of witness interference
The state is also fighting the couple’s release on the basis that they could interfere with witnesses or investigations.
Constable Thobejane told the court that the accused allegedly have access to information about witnesses and their whereabouts.
Colonel Makuwa similarly testified that the couple could potentially intimidate witnesses because of their knowledge of the people involved in the investigation.
The state has also raised concerns that the couple could evade the legal process if released on bail.
Investigators have pointed to their movements and international travel, including trips to Turkey, as part of the state’s argument against bail.
‘Their lives may be in danger’
In another extraordinary argument, Makuwa told the court that the accused themselves could potentially be in danger if released.
He said public anger over the allegations could expose them to threats because some people believe money belonging to deceased estates was used to fund an extravagant lifestyle.
“The public know right now that their money is gone is gone. It has been used to buy vehicles, expensive clothes and liquor, dishing out sweets at parties and weddings,” Makuwa said.
He warned that, despite some people treating the allegations lightly, there could be individuals who are angry about the alleged loss of estate money.
What the couple is accused of
The case has expanded beyond the original reports of approximately R1.75 million allegedly taken from deceased estates.
SABC News reports that the couple is now accused of defrauding three estate accounts of more than R4 million between 2024 and 2026. Nonyane faces two counts of fraud and two counts of money laundering, while Tibana faces three counts of fraud and two counts of money laundering.
Earlier reports focused on allegations involving two estates and approximately R1.75 million.
The state alleges that the money was transferred and laundered through various transactions, including luxury vehicle purchases.
The investigation is being conducted by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Limpopo.
How the couple landed in custody
Nonyane was arrested in Pretoria on August 14 during a joint operation involving Hawks investigators and several law-enforcement units.
Tibana subsequently handed herself over to authorities.
The arrests followed an investigation into alleged unlawful withdrawals from deceased-estate accounts.
The TMPD has also opened an internal disciplinary investigation and has indicated that it is cooperating with the Hawks’ criminal investigation.
The legal battle now
The immediate issue before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court is whether Nonyane and Tibana should be released on bail while the criminal investigation and eventual prosecution proceed.
The state is opposing bail, citing the seriousness of the allegations, the possibility of interference with witnesses, potential flight risk and concerns surrounding the safety of the accused.
The defence maintains the couple’s right to bail and the presumption of innocence remains intact.
Importantly, none of the allegations amount to a conviction. The state still has to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt in a criminal trial.
For now, the G-Wagon transaction, the alleged movement of estate money, the disputed explanations about the transfers and the explosive claims surrounding an alleged suicide recording have become central features of one of the most closely watched bail applications involving a serving metro police officer and his attorney wife.
The bail proceedings were due to continue in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday afternoon.
