Bail judgement reserved in Polokwane multi-million rand fraud and money laundering case
The Polokwane Magistrate’s Court has reserved judgment in the bail application of three additional suspects in a multi-million-rand fraud and money laundering case involving Peter 'Gagashe' Nonyane and his lawyer wife.
Accused three, four and five - Rirandzu Tibane, businessman Jabulani Maluleka and his business entity- appeared in court on Friday facing charges of fraud and money laundering.
Tibane is the younger sister of Polokwane attorney Charlotte Tibane, who was arrested in August alongside her husband, Tshwane Metro Police Officer Peter “Gagash” Nonyane.
The couple was also brought before court, where additional charges of fraud, theft and money laundering were added.
All accused are now facing a combined 123 charges.
-Bail hearing for Tibane's sister and Nonyane's associate-
During the bail hearing, both accused indicated that they intend to plead not guilty.
They told the court that they could afford bail of R5000 and R2000 respectively and would comply with any bail conditions.
In her affidavit, Rirandzu Tibane said she is currently unemployed and had been working at her sister’s law firm.
She maintained that the State has a weak and non-existent case against her.
READ: Fraud accused Peter 'Gagash' Nonyane and attorney wife denied bail
Tibane said the State alleges she committed an offence by receiving payments from her sister, who was her employer at the time.
She added that she is neither an attorney nor an executor, and had no legal obligation to question the source of funds paid to her as a salary.
She further told the court that she owns two vehicles, a Ford Raptor and a Haval, and said she had no immovable properties or assets outside South Africa.
Tibane also said she is the primary caregiver of her 13-year-old son and currently lives with her parents.
Meanwhile, Maluleka told the court he is a self-employed auto technician and the sole provider of his 14-year-old child, as well as supporting two other children who live with their mothers.
He said he could only afford bail of R2 000.
Both the accused argued that they are not a flight risk, do not pose a danger to society, and will not interfere with witnesses, as they do not know them.
-State does not oppose bail-
The State indicated that it does not oppose bail, but proposed that it be set at R100 000 each, citing the seriousness of the charges.
State prosecutor Martin Molokwane told the court that the proposed amount would ensure the accused do not evade trial.
“Even if we are of the view that they are currently not flight risks, at a later stage, the nature and seriousness of these offences may cause them to be flight risks. Whilst they are seated comfortably somewhere, thinking of the seriousness and nature of the offences they are facing, that on its own may create a likelihood to evade trial,” Molokwane said.
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