‘Cat’ Matlala back in court over identity used for luxury lease
PRETORIA — Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is expected back in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on 29 October over allegations that he used a false Eswatini identity document and falsified bank statements to secure a luxury Waterkloof property lease. Prosecutors allege that he presented himself as a member of Eswatini’s royal family.
Matlala appears alongside his wife, Tsakani Matlala, Claudette Masethe and Given Makofane. The case concerns documents allegedly falsified in January last year to obtain a lease costing R95,000 a month. The accused face fraud, forgery and uttering charges, while Matlala also faces a charge under the Identification Act.
Bail application put on hold
Matlala abandoned his bail application in this matter during his appearance on 14 October. His lawyer indicated that the decision was provisional and that he intended to revisit the application after his separate attempted murder trial had concluded. The prosecution had been preparing to oppose his release.
His three co-accused were each granted R20,000 bail. Their conditions include avoiding contact with state witnesses, surrendering their passports and notifying the investigating officer before travelling outside the province.
Alleged royal identity central to the case
According to the National Prosecuting Authority’s earlier account, Matlala allegedly possessed an identity document in the name of Vusumuzi Dlamini and claimed an association with the Eswatini Royal House when seeking the property. The prosecution alleges that the four accused acted together to secure the lease through a real estate agent.
The lease case is separate from the attempted murder proceedings against Matlala in the Johannesburg High Court. The allegations concerning the identity document, financial records and property agreement remain unproven, and the reports reviewed do not yet establish the outcome of the scheduled 29 October appearance.
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