‘Cat’ Matlala abandons bail bid as fraud case heads for further investigation

Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has abandoned his bail application in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where he faces multiple charges relating to an allegedly fraudulent lease agreement for a luxury property in Waterkloof Heights.

The decision, announced on Wednesday, means Matlala will remain in custody while his various criminal cases continue through the courts.

According to SABC News and TimesLIVE, Matlala faces two counts of fraud, two counts of uttering, one count of forgery and a charge of contravening the Identification Act.

The charges stem from allegations that Matlala and three co-accused used falsified documents to secure a lease agreement for a property in Waterkloof Heights in January 2025.

The luxury residence reportedly carried a monthly rental of R95,000, with almost R1.2 million allegedly paid upfront.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana confirmed that Matlala had withdrawn his bail application and that the case had been postponed to 29 October for further investigations.

The state had intended to oppose bail.

Matlala is also accused of unlawfully possessing an identity document issued in the name of Vusumuzi Dlamini, allegedly presenting him as someone associated with the Eswatini royal family.

His co-accused, wife Tsakani Matlala, sister Claudette Masethe and business associate Given Makofane, have already been released on bail of R20,000 each.

According to Eyewitness News, Matlala’s legal representative indicated that the decision to abandon bail was temporary, with the defence intending to revisit the application after the conclusion of his separate attempted murder trial.

That trial, before the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, is expected to resume in November.

Matlala is accused of involvement in the attempted murders of his former girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane, taxi businessman Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and music producer Seunkie “DJ Vettys” Mokubung.

He also faces proceedings relating to a controversial South African Police Service healthcare tender awarded to his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District.

An earlier plea agreement in the tender case collapsed after Matlala rejected a proposed sentence of 12 years’ direct imprisonment.

The businessman additionally faces charges arising from the alleged unlawful installation of blue emergency lights on luxury vehicles, involving former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officials.

The lease-fraud proceedings will resume on 29 October, while the separate SAPS tender case is scheduled to return to court on 17 November.

Sources: SABC News, TimesLIVE, Eyewitness News, The Citizen.