Pretoria authorities have charged a metro police officer and his wife after an investigation into transfers from two deceased estates allegedly uncovered withdrawals and purchases that include a high‑end vehicle. The pair, identified in court papers as 36‑year‑old Peter Nonyane and his 33‑year‑old wife, attorney Charlotte Tibana, appeared in Polokwane magistrate’s court following their arrests in a probe by the National Prosecuting Authority in Limpopo.
Allegations and alleged trail of funds
The NPA says that on Oct. 28, 2024, money was moved out of a trust account belonging to one deceased estate into the bank account of another estate, that of the late Mr. Masha. On the same day, payments totalling R1.65 million and R100,000 were reportedly sent to a Standard Bank account associated with McCarthy Mercedes‑Benz Wonderboom for the purchase of a pre‑owned Mercedes‑Benz AMG G63.
Further investigation by prosecutors allegedly uncovered additional unauthorised withdrawals from the estate, amounting to about R1.75 million. The NPA contends that portions of the funds were deposited into Nonyane’s personal account and subsequently channelled into purchases, including the Mercedes, in a way that prejudiced the rightful beneficiaries of the estates.
“You either work for the money, or you steal it.”
The couple were publicly visible on social platforms, where Nonyane — who holds accounts on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram with a combined following of nearly one million — routinely showcased a lifestyle marked by luxury cars, designer clothing and extravagant gatherings across Gauteng and Limpopo.
Roles and alleged conduct
According to the NPA, Tibana acted as the executor of the two deceased estates under inquiry and is accused of authorising transfers that resulted in financial loss to beneficiaries. The authority alleges that she facilitated the movement of estate funds into accounts that enabled the subsequent withdrawals.
Nonyane, a serving Tshwane metro police officer described in social posts by nicknames including “Lamasweet” and “Greater Gagash Municipality”, is alleged to have received some of the misdirected funds into his bank account and used them in transactions prosecutors say amounted to money‑laundering.
Public reaction and context
The case has drawn attention online, in part because of the couple’s social‑media footprint and the contrast between their public lifestyle and the allegations of misusing funds meant for estate beneficiaries. Materials shared by the NPA outline the sequence of transfers and payments that underpin the charges; court proceedings were under way following the pair’s arrests.
- Key amounts named by prosecutors: R1.65 million (vehicle payment), R100,000 (additional payment on the same day), and about R1.75 million in alleged unlawful withdrawals.
- Assets identified: Pre‑owned Mercedes‑Benz AMG G63 purchased through a dealership payment.
- Individuals charged: Peter Nonyane (metro police officer) and Charlotte Tibana (attorney and executor of the estates).
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Payment to Mercedes dealership | R1.65 million |
| Additional payment (same day) | R100,000 |
| Approximate unlawful withdrawals | R1.75 million |
Authorities have not released further details about the identities of the deceased whose estates are at issue, nor have they provided additional comment on the timing of appearances beyond the initial court session made public by the NPA. The matter remains before the courts as prosecutors continue their inquiry into the origin and path of the contested funds.
For readers watching similar cases, the episode underscores two practical takeaways: the potential vulnerabilities in estate administration when executors have control over trust accounts, and how visible displays of wealth on social platforms can draw scrutiny from investigators tracing the provenance of large purchases.
As the legal process unfolds, the court record will be the authoritative source for how the allegations proceed and whether the state can substantiate claims that estate funds were diverted to private advantage.
