Lavish life-style exposes cop, spouse’s alleged R3m ‘fraud’

A suspicion over the supply of funds used to buy a R1.65m Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 at a Pretoria dealership in 2024 is what led to the arrest of Tshwane metro police officer Peter Nonyane, 36, also referred to as “Lamasweet” or “Greater Gagash Municipality”, and his spouse.

Nonyane and his spouse, lawyer Charlotte Tibana, 33, trended on social media on Monday as they appeared within the Polokwane Justice of the Peace’s court docket after their arrests in reference to the alleged illegal withdrawal and laundering of funds belonging to 2 deceased estates.

The pair allegedly withdrew greater than R3m from the accounts.

The state alleges that on October 28 2024, funds have been unlawfully transferred from the Trust account of a deceased property into an FNB account of the property of the late Mr Masha.

“On the same day, payments totaling R1.65-million and R100,000 were allegedly made to a Standard Bank account linked to McCarthy Mercedes-Benz Wonderboom for the purchase of a pre-owned Mercedes-Benz AMG G63,” stated Mashudu Malabi, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Limpopo.

She stated additional investigation revealed that roughly R1.75m was allegedly unlawfully withdrawn from the property.

“It is alleged that portions of the funds were deposited into Nonyane’s bank account and subsequently laundered through the purchase of the motor vehicle, to the prejudice of the estate and its lawful beneficiaries,” defined Malabi.

Across social media, the place he has a mixed following of near one million on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, Nonyane confirmed off his lavish life, flaunting fancy vehicles, garments, alcohol. He is also referred to as a socialite who would organise flashy occasions between Gauteng and Giyani in Limpopo. The posts date again to 2021.

In one of many TikTok posts, Nonyane claims: “You either work for the money, or you steal it.”

According to the NPA, Tibana, who acted as executor of the 2 estates, allegedly authorised and facilitated the switch of cash from the property accounts, leading to monetary losses for the beneficiaries.

The NPA alleges that about R1.65m of the cash was used to purchase a second-hand Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 from a dealership in Pretoria in 2024.

The automobile dealership allegedly raised considerations concerning the supply of the cash after Nonyane failed to supply proof of the place the funds got here from. The matter was subsequently reported to the Hawks.

Malabi stated the case highlighted the significance of co-operation between legislation enforcement companies in tackling complicated business crimes and defending weak victims from monetary misconduct.

Nonyane was arrested in Pretoria final Friday whereas Tibana was arrested in Polokwane on Monday. Both have been remanded in custody and their bail utility is anticipated to be heard on Friday.

Tshwane metro police division (TMPD) stated it had opened an inner disciplinary investigation into Nonyane.

“While both the internal and external investigations are ongoing, the TMPD does not rule out issuing the member with an intention to suspend, pending the outcome of these proceedings.

“We wish to reiterate its (TMPD) zero-tolerance stance on criminality and misconduct within its ranks, and it remains committed to upholding the integrity of the department and the trust of the residents of Tshwane.”

Sowetan

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