The bail hearing of Tshwane Metro Police Department officer Peter “Gagash” Nonyane and attorney Charlotte Tibana is expected to resume in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The married couple faces 35 charges including fraud, money laundering and corruption. The allegations relate to more than R4 million said to have been taken from five deceased-estate accounts. The charges have not been tested at trial.
Nonyane and Tibana have remained in custody since their arrests in August.
SABC News reported that National Prosecuting Authority financial investigator Andrew Ngobeni is due to continue under cross-examination. He is the third witness called by the State in opposition to bail.
During earlier evidence, Ngobeni told the court that a relative was allegedly used in transactions forming part of the State’s money-laundering case. Those claims remain evidence before the bail court and are not findings of guilt.
The defence will have an opportunity to challenge the evidence and argue that the pair should be released pending trial. The magistrate must consider factors including the interests of justice, possible interference with witnesses and whether the accused are likely to stand trial.
The bail proceedings are separate from the eventual trial on the charges.
