A Hawks investigation has uncovered a startling transaction in which a Tshwane metro police officer and his attorney wife allegedly transferred R1.65 million to a Mercedes-Benz dealership in a single payment, while the widow who was reportedly entitled to the money was still waiting for the funds to reach her account.
The testimony was heard in a case involving Charlotte Tibana and her husband, Peter Nonyane, a 36-year-old Tshwane metro police officer, who were arrested last week over allegations involving the unlawful withdrawal and laundering of funds belonging to two deceased estates.
The allegations place a substantial sum of money at the centre of a criminal investigation involving estates that were supposed to benefit surviving family members.
Hawks detail R1.65 million Mercedes-Benz payment
A Hawks officer told the court how the R1.65 million was allegedly moved in one transaction to a Mercedes-Benz dealership.
According to the testimony, the payment was made while a widow — who was reportedly expecting the money — was waiting for the funds to be transferred into her account.
The transaction has become a key piece of evidence in the investigation into the alleged misuse of funds linked to deceased estates.
The Hawks are investigating whether money belonging to the estates was unlawfully withdrawn and subsequently laundered.
Metro police officer and attorney wife arrested
Nonyane, who works as a Tshwane metro police officer, and Tibana, an attorney, were arrested last week.
The couple face allegations relating to funds belonging to two deceased estates.
Their professional backgrounds have added scrutiny to the case, particularly given the alleged movement of a substantial amount of money into a vehicle dealership.
However, the allegations have yet to be tested fully in court, and the accused remain entitled to the presumption of innocence unless convicted.
Widow allegedly left waiting for her money
One of the most striking aspects of the Hawks testimony is the reported timing of the transaction.
While R1.65 million was allegedly transferred to the Mercedes-Benz dealership, the widow who was supposed to receive the money was still waiting for the funds to arrive in her own account.
That sequence of events has raised questions about how money connected to the deceased estate was handled and who authorised or benefited from the transaction.
Investigators are expected to rely on financial records and transaction trails to establish how the money moved and what happened to the estate funds afterwards.
Investigation focuses on alleged laundering
The case involves allegations of both unlawful withdrawal and money laundering.
Money laundering investigations typically examine whether funds believed to have been obtained unlawfully were subsequently moved, converted or used in ways intended to conceal their origin or facilitate their use.
In this case, the alleged transfer to a Mercedes-Benz dealership is likely to form part of the Hawks’ broader examination of the financial trail.
The R1.65 million payment could therefore provide investigators with an important link between the alleged withdrawal of estate funds and their subsequent use.
Two deceased estates involved
The investigation is not limited to one estate.
According to the information presented, the Hawks are investigating funds connected to two deceased estates.
That potentially widens the scope of the case, as investigators will have to establish the circumstances surrounding each estate, the amounts involved and the alleged role played by the accused.
The court proceedings will determine whether the prosecution can ultimately prove that the money was unlawfully obtained and dealt with as alleged.
Court will ultimately test the Hawks’ evidence
The testimony provides the state’s account of how the R1.65 million transaction allegedly occurred, but the allegations remain subject to the court process.
The accused have the right to challenge the Hawks’ evidence, present their own version of events and contest the charges against them.
For now, the alleged Mercedes-Benz payment stands out as one of the most significant transactions described in the case.
A single R1.65 million transfer, made while a widow was reportedly waiting for money belonging to her, has become a focal point in an investigation into alleged estate-fund abuse and money laundering.
As proceedings continue, the court will have to determine how the funds were obtained, who was entitled to them and whether the accused unlawfully benefited from the transactions.
