R11m deceased estates case: High Court to rule on couple’s bail appeal

Judgment scheduled after virtual hearing

The appeal was heard virtually on Wednesday, October 21, and the National Prosecuting Authority confirmed the matter had been reserved for judgment. In a statement cited by the prosecution, the NPA said:

“Judgment in the bail appeal of Attorney Charlotte Tibana and her husband, Peter Nonyane, has been reserved.”

The reserved judgment is due to be delivered in open court at the Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane on Thursday, October 22. The ruling will determine whether the couple can be released on bail while investigations into the allegations continue.

Allegations in the R11 million deceased estates matter

The State alleges that roughly R11 million was unlawfully withdrawn and laundered from accounts linked to 15 deceased estates. According to the prosecution, Tibana had been appointed executor of those estates and is accused of withdrawing funds belonging to deceased people before the money was moved through various accounts.

Prosecutors say the transactions included actions that concealed or disguised the source, location, movement and ownership of the funds. The State also alleges that about R1.65 million of the proceeds was used to purchase a pre‑owned Mercedes‑Benz AMG G63 from a Pretoria dealership.

In addition, the prosecution has linked some of the alleged proceeds to activities by Nonyane, saying he used funds for stokvel contributions and to finance the construction of a residential property.

Bail developments among co-accused

The bail appeal by Tibana and Nonyane follows other developments in the broader probe. On October 8, two co-accused Rirzhaku Tibana, who is Charlotte Tibana’s younger sister, and businessman Jabulani Nephtal Maluleke were each granted bail of R60,000 by the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court.

The State did not oppose their release, according to the NPA spokesperson referenced in the case coverage. The two accused face a combined 101 charges arising from allegations linked to the administration of the 15 deceased estates; the listed charges include fraud, theft and money laundering.

As part of their bail conditions, the reporting requirements differ by accused: the paperwork in court identifies Rirhandzu Tibana as accused number three, who must report to Letsitele Police Station every Friday between 8am and 4pm, while Maluleke, listed as accused number four, must report to Pretoria Police Station during the same hours.

Where the case stands and what comes next

Charlotte Tibana and Peter Nonyane remain in custody pending the High Court’s decision on their appeal. The broader matter has been postponed for further investigation to 6 November 2026, according to court scheduling recorded in the proceedings.

The bail appeal judgment will decide whether the couple will remain detained while investigators and prosecutors continue to build the case, or whether they will be released on bail subject to conditions. If bail is refused, the accused will stay in custody pending trial; if granted, conditions may be imposed by the court similar to those already applied to co‑accused who have been released.

Why this ruling matters

The outcome has practical and legal consequences. A bail decision affects the accused’s immediate liberty and the conduct of ongoing investigations. It also shapes how lawyers and investigators plan next steps: whether evidence can be gathered while suspects are in or out of custody, and how the prosecution pursues complex financial allegations tied to multiple estates.

While the facts before the court are limited to what the prosecution has set out about account withdrawals, transfers and alleged purchases, the High Court’s consideration of those facts in the bail‑appeal context will be closely watched by all parties and by others following the case.

Reporting note

Details in this report are based solely on the statements and timelines provided by the National Prosecuting Authority and the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court as recorded during the virtual hearing and related court processes. The High Court is scheduled to deliver its reserved judgment in open court on Thursday.