LIMPOPO – A Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) officer, Peter Nonyane (36), and his partner, Charlotte Tibana (33), an attorney, appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Monday, 17 August 2026, in connection with an alleged fraud, theft and money laundering case involving approximately R1.75 million from a deceased estate.
On Friday, 14 August 2026, Nonyane was arrested in Pretoria by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Polokwane, during a joint operation involving Pretoria K9 Unit, Briant S.O.R.T, Pretoria Flying Squad, Gauteng Water Wing, K9 Unit Command and Tracker SA. Tibana handed herself over to the authorities this morning. Both arrests were effected in terms of J50 warrants.
It is alleged that on 28 October 2024, funds were unlawfully transferred from the trust account of a deceased estate into the FNB account of the Estate of the late Mr Masha. On the same day, payments totalling R1.65 million and R100,000 were allegedly made to a Standard Bank account linked to McCarthy Mercedes-Benz Wonderboom for the purchase of a pre-owned Mercedes-Benz AMG G63.
Further investigation revealed that approximately R1.75 million was allegedly unlawfully withdrawn from the estate. It is alleged that portions of the funds were deposited into Nonyane’s bank account and subsequently laundered through the purchase of the motor vehicle, to the prejudice of the estate and its lawful beneficiaries.
The matter was reported to the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Limpopo and registered for investigation as fraud, theft and money laundering.
The matter was postponed to Friday, 21 August 2026, for a formal bail application and further investigation. Both accused remain in custody.
As the investigation continues, the Hawks are also issuing a strong warning against the unauthorised use of the Hawks logo and the reckless circulation of unverified information on social media platforms. The Hawks logo is an official symbol of the Directorate and may not be used by individuals or organisations in a manner that creates the impression that their statements or activities are officially endorsed or authorised by the Hawks.
Of particular concern is the circulation of unverified operational information, which can compromise investigations and expose investigative methods.
The Hawks therefore urge all individuals and entities engaging in such conduct to refrain from doing so with immediate effect. Members of the public are encouraged to verify information before sharing it and to rely only on authorised DPCI communication channels for official Hawks information.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Adv Gopz Govender, has recognised the investigating team’s diligence, determination and investigative skill, as well as the effective collaboration between the various law-enforcement units, which culminated in the successful arrests.
The DPCI remains resolute in its mandate to investigate and bring perpetrators of fraud, corruption and other serious priority crimes before the courts, regardless of their position or affiliation. The Directorate will continue to protect the integrity of its investigations and the safety of its members while ensuring that justice is served.