Cat’ Matlala Abandons Freedom Bid in R1.2M Mansion Scam

Alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has abandoned his bail application in a fraud case linked to a high-end Pretoria property.

The businessman appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday. He faces charges of fraud, forgery and contravening the Identification Act. The State says he used a fake Eswatini identity document under the name Vusimuzi Dlamini and falsified bank statements to secure a Waterkloof Heights lease worth R95,000 a month.

Matlala allegedly posed as a member of the Eswatini royal family to get the luxury property. His wife Tsakane Matlala and two other co-accused, Claudette Masethe and Given Makofane, were already granted bail of R20,000 each last month.

His lawyer told the court that Matlala has decided to put the bail application on hold for now. The legal team wants to first deal with his ongoing attempted murder trial, which is expected to continue in November.

The court postponed the fraud matter to 29 October for further investigations. Matlala remains in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre.

This is just one of several cases against the man widely known as Cat. He is already facing serious charges including attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder in other matters. South Africans have been following his court appearances closely as the cases continue to unfold.

The latest decision means Matlala will stay behind bars while the investigations into the property fraud continue.

Source:https://x.com/SABCNews/status/2110298476189741498