Pretoria – All the accused in the lease fraud matter were dressed to the nines.
Crime-accused businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who has been locked up behind bars for more than a year, made sure he looked suave.
Matlala was arrested on 14 May 2025 for a different matter.
Since then, he has made sure every court appearance is a chance to show off a different suit.
He also gets to chat to his 38-year-old wife, Tsakani Matlala, a co-accused in some of the matters.
Today, Thursday 29 October 2026, was no different at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where 50-year-old Matlala, his wife and two other accused – 31-year-old Claudette Masethe and 46-year-old Given Makofane – appeared.
In the dock, the accused somewhat looked like they were attending a fancy-dress party.
In this matter, the quartet faces two counts of fraud, two counts of uttering and one count of forgery.
Matlala faces an additional charge of contravening the Identification Act.
Allegations are that in January 2025, the four accused, acting in furtherance of a common purpose, falsified documents to secure a lease agreement for a property in Waterkloof Heights, Pretoria, through a real estate agent.
It is further alleged that between 13 and 21 January 2025, Vusumuzi Matlala unlawfully possessed an identity document issued in the name of Vusumuzi Dlamini, which purported to associate him with the Eswatini Royal House, and allegedly used it in connection with securing the lease.
However, the matter was adjourned to 11 February 2027 for further financial investigations.
Matlala is separately facing attempted murder charges in the Johannesburg High Court.
The case relates to allegations that he was involved in a plot targeting his former girlfriend, Actress and influencer Tebogo Thobejane, taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, and music producer Seunkie “DJ Vettys” Mokubung.
This is the matter that has largely kept Matlala in custody while other proceedings continue.
Matlala is also an accused in a major case linked to the controversial R228 million South African Police Service Medicare24 health-services tender.
The matter involves allegations of fraud, corruption and improper influence surrounding the awarding of the police contract.
