Polokwane High Court rejects Gagash Nonyane and wife’s bail appeal in R11m fraud case

The Polokwane High Court in Limpopo has dismissed a bail appeal by Tshwane Metro Police Department officer Peter “Gagash” Nonyane and his wife, attorney Charlotte Tibana, ruling that they must remain in custody while facing allegations of fraud, theft and money laundering.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, 22 October 2026, Judge Karin Leanne Pillay upheld the lower court’s decision to deny the couple bail, finding that they had failed to establish compelling grounds for their release. The judge also expressed concerns about potential interference with witnesses and rejected arguments disputing the strength of the State’s case.

The couple face 123 charges arising from allegations that at least R11 million was taken from deceased estate accounts administered by Tibana Attorneys.

According to the State, Tibana allegedly misappropriated funds from estates she had been appointed to administer and used various financial transactions to conceal the suspected proceeds of crime.

Investigators are probing alleged links between the funds and properties registered in the name of Tibana’s younger sister, Rirzhaku Tibana, as well as payments made to Risima Jeje Trading Enterprise.

The investigation also includes an alleged R1.65 million transaction used to purchase a second-hand Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 in Pretoria. Nonyane is accused of benefiting from the alleged proceeds through stokvel contributions and the construction of a residential property.

The couple were initially denied bail in early September and will remain in custody until their next court appearance on 6 November 2026.

They are expected to appear alongside their co-accused, Rirzhaku Tibana and Jabulani Maluleke. The two co-accused were granted bail of R60,000 each on 8 October after the State did not oppose their release.