A 53-year-old estate controller at the Office of the Master of the High Court in Polokwane, Limpopo, had his case postponed to Monday next week for a bail application.
Gustavus Moloto appeared in court alongside suspended estate attorney Charlotte Tibana.
The two face six criminal charges, including corruption, conspiracy to commit corruption and money laundering.
Moloto was arrested on Tuesday morning at his office, at the Master of the High Court.
Tibana has been in custody on a separate matter.
In exchange, he allegedly received and accepted gratification of R10 500. It is alleged that Moloto referred clients to Tibana.
“Accused number two offered or agreed to offer gratification in the amount of R10,500 mentioned above and/or as a reward to accused number one, Gustavus Moloto. As accused number two was in her capacity as an attorney and/or agent on behalf of clients and/or deceased estates beneficiaries, and/or in exchange for accused number one, Gustavus, to refer clients and/or heirs of deceased estates to accused number two, Charlotte Tibana. As accused number one is employed by the Master of the High Court and therefore has and/or had access to the deceased estates files,” says Advocate Martin Molokwane, State prosecutor.
The state intends to oppose bail, as investigations are ongoing.
The state and defence have applied that the matter be postponed. The court granted the application.
“The charge that has been key filed against you has been read out by the state in this matter and the your defence counsels have been apprised of the charges of the charges reading them and as well state has confirmed that you have or charge sheets in preparation for an eventual bail application that may follow in this matter. I further state that the State and all defence for accused number two have indicated that accused number two would not take part in the bail application and, as such, she is abandoning it. And as a result, this matter is therefore postponed to the 16th day of November 2026 for further investigation and bail application by accused number one, and both accused will be in custody,” says Godfrey Netshiozwi, Magistrate.
Tibana has abandoned her bail application.
She has been in custody on a separate matter, that of defrauding deceased estate accounts of more than R11 million.
Her co-accused are her husband, Peter “Gagash” Nonyane, Jabulani Maluleke, her sibling Rirhandzu Tibana and an entity, Risima Jeje trading enterprise.
Moloto is expected to apply for bail on Monday next week.
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