The Polokwane Magistrates’ Court has granted the State’s joinder application, adding Rirhanzu Tibana as accused No. 3 and Jabulani Maluleke, the owner of Risima Jeje (Pty) Ltd, as accused No. 4 in the R6 million deceased-estate fraud and money-laundering case involving suspended attorney Charlotte Tibana and Tshwane Metro Police Department officer Peter “Gagash” Nonyane.
The latest development comes as the State continues to expand its case, which initially involved Charlotte Tibana and Nonyane and has since grown to include additional accused and further allegations concerning money allegedly taken from deceased estates.
The allegations remain before court and have not been tested through a criminal trial.
Rirhanzu Tibana joins the case
Rirhanzu Tibana is now formally before the court as accused No. 3.
The State had previously referred to her during Charlotte Tibana’s bail proceedings. According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the State alleged that some properties owned by Charlotte Tibana had been registered in the name of her younger sibling, Rirhanzu Tibana, allegedly to conceal proceeds of the alleged criminal activities.
The NPA previously told the court that this formed part of the State’s opposition to bail for Charlotte Tibana.
The joinder application now brings Rirhanzu Tibana directly into the criminal proceedings.
Maluleke and Risima Jeje linked to estate transactions
Jabulani Maluleke, the owner of Risima Jeje (Pty) Ltd, has been joined as accused No. 4.
Maluleke had already featured in the State’s evidence before being formally joined in the wider case. In September, the State alleged that R1.029 million from the Kobe family estate was transferred into an account registered in Maluleke’s name.
The six money-laundering charges added at the time related to transactions of R110,000, R260,000, R240,000, R145,000, R198,000 and R76,000. The State alleged that the money was subsequently transferred from Maluleke’s account to an account belonging to Nonyane.
The latest joinder means Maluleke will now face the allegations as an accused in the same criminal proceedings.
Case now involves multiple accused and estates
The case began with allegations against Charlotte Tibana and her husband, Nonyane, concerning approximately R6 million allegedly withdrawn and laundered from accounts belonging to deceased estates.
The NPA says Tibana and Nonyane were initially facing 43 charges, including theft, fraud, alternatively theft, and money laundering.
The State alleges that the funds were unlawfully concealed or moved from different deceased-estate accounts. It has also alleged that approximately R1.65 million was used to purchase a Mercedes-Benz AMG G63, while other alleged proceeds were used for purposes including stokvel contributions and construction of a residential property.
The NPA says the allegations relate to estates for which Tibana had been appointed executor.
Further charges added
The joinder comes alongside the State’s continued addition of charges to the case.
The State has now added counts 44 to 75, bringing 32 further charges into the proceedings. The latest allegations include transactions involving the Mphahlele family estate and approximately R4 million in alleged estate-related funds.
The State alleges that Charlotte Tibana, Maluleke and Risima Jeje acted together in relation to R501,000 allegedly taken from the Mphahlele estate, with portions of the money allegedly transferred to Peter “Gagash” Nonyane.
Another allegation concerns R400,000 allegedly linked to unlawful proceeds from the estate of the late Albert Moetji, with the State alleging that Tibana assisted Maluleke and Risima Jeje in benefiting from the money.
These allegations will form part of the State’s case and remain subject to the criminal trial process.
Bail and custody remain part of proceedings
Charlotte Tibana and Nonyane were previously denied bail after the State opposed their release.
The NPA said the State had alleged that Tibana interfered with the investigation by contacting witnesses and police officials and requesting that the matter be closed. The prosecution also told the court that investigators were in possession of alleged voice recordings sent to complainants.
The court denied bail and the matter was postponed to 6 November 2026 for further investigations. Both remained in custody at that stage.
The defence has also asked the court that the accused be held at a police station while awaiting their next appearance, arguing that consultations with them are difficult while they are detained in prison.
The latest joinder application marks another significant development in a case that has continued to expand as investigators trace alleged transactions involving deceased estates and identify additional people and entities allegedly connected to the money trail.
