Hawks raises concern over potential tampering at Polokwane Master’s Office
A senior investigator for the Hawks told the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court that he could not rule out the possibility of evidence being tampered with at the Master of the High Court in Polokwane, where attorney Charlotte Tibana previously worked. The remarks were made during the continuation of the bail application for Tibana and her husband, Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) officer Peter “Gagash” Nonyane.
The comments by Colonel Daniel Makuwa, who is the State’s investigating officer in the matter, were reported by African Times as he concluded his cross‑examination on Friday, 28 August 2026. Tibana, 33, and Nonyane, 36, face 35 counts of fraud and money laundering linked to an attempted purchase of a R1.65 million Mercedes‑Benz AMG G63 in Wonderboom, Pretoria, in November 2024. The bail hearing was postponed to Tuesday, the report said.
Makuwa confirmed during defence questioning that there was no evidence Tibana had the ability to alter bank records or instruct a bank to erase transaction evidence. Asked specifically whether there was proof she could direct the Master of the High Court to change records, Makuwa told the court he could not confirm either way. He said investigators were aware Tibana used to work at the Polokwane Master’s Office, and that this raised a concern about potential contacts who might interfere with evidence.
"Your Worship, on that one I cannot confirm because what I know is that the information that we just received is the accused number one before the court used to work at the same Office Master of the High Court in Polokwane. So I would not know if she will have contact with people who are working in altering evidence," Makuwa said, according to African Times.
The defence, led by advocate Hlawulani Maluleke, pressed Makuwa on the absence of any direct evidence that Tibana could manipulate the Master’s records. Makuwa conceded that investigators had no evidence she could instruct a bank to erase records and agreed that she had stated she could not alter bank records.
Local implications and court process
The matter’s appearance in Polokwane places local institutions in the spotlight. The Master of the High Court in Polokwane administers estates and keeps official records that can be relevant in financial investigations; any suggestion of potential interference at that office is therefore likely to cause concern among residents and legal practitioners in the city.
Key facts reported by African Times are summarised below:
- Accused: Charlotte Tibana (33) and Peter “Gagash” Nonyane (36)
- Charges: 35 counts of fraud and money laundering
- Alleged incident: Attempted purchase of a R1.65 million Mercedes‑Benz AMG G63 in November 2024
- Court: Polokwane Magistrates’ Court; bail application postponed to Tuesday
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Investigating officer | Colonel Daniel Makuwa |
| Defence counsel | Hlawulani Maluleke |
| Reported source | African Times |
Community members and legal professionals in Polokwane may monitor the case closely because any credible allegation that records at the Master’s Office could be accessed or manipulated would have broader consequences for trust in local public administration and estate matters. The prosecutor’s concerns, as relayed in court, rest on the fact of Tibana’s prior employment at the Master’s Office rather than on evidence of concrete interference.
When bail proceedings resume, the court will consider the full record, including any further evidence the State presents about possible links between the accused and personnel at the Master’s Office. For now, the record reported by African Times shows investigators drawing attention to a potential vulnerability while acknowledging the limits of their proof at this stage.
Polokwane residents who rely on the integrity of court and Master’s Office records will want clarity from the relevant authorities; the magistrates’ court listing will determine when further details are made public and when the State will be required to set out its evidence more fully.
