Controversial businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala has provisionally abandoned his bail application in a fraud case involving a R95 000-a-month luxury home in Pretoria.
Matlala appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 14 October, alongside his wife, Tsakane, and two co-accused.
His legal team informed the court that he would not proceed with his bail application at this stage.
Matlala will remain behind bars as he faces separate attempted murder charges.
WHY DID CAT MATLALA ABANDON HIS BAIL APPLICATION?
Matlala had planned to apply for bail this week, but his lawyers told the court that he would first deal with his separate attempted murder case.
His legal team indicated that he could revive the bail application at a later stage.
The State had planned to oppose his release.
Matlala also faces criminal proceedings linked to alleged attacks involving actress Tebogo Thobejane, taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and DJ Vettys.
R95 000 LUXURY HOME AT CENTRE OF FRAUD CASE
Prosecutors accuse Matlala, his wife and two others of using fraudulent documents to secure a luxury rental property in Waterkloof Heights, Pretoria.
The State alleges that the accused submitted false information to an estate agency in January 2025 to obtain a lease for the property.
The house carried a monthly rental of R95 000.
Prosecutors also allege that Matlala used an identity document bearing the name Vusimuzi Dlamini and falsely claimed links to the Eswatini royal family.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) previously outlined how Matlala allegedly used the identity to convince the estate agency that he could afford the rental.
“He portrayed himself as a member of the royal family so that he can be able to prove to the estate agency that he would have funds to pay for the property,” NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said.
Matlala faces charges of fraud, forgery, uttering and contravening the Identification Act.
His wife, Tsakane, and co-accused Claudette Masethe and Given Makofane also face fraud-related charges.
MATLALA REMAINS BEHIND BARS
The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court previously granted Matlala’s wife and the two co-accused bail of R20 000 each.
The court ordered them to surrender their passports, report to police and avoid contact with State witnesses.
Matlala remains in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre.
The court postponed the fraud case to 29 October for further investigation.
Matlala and his co-accused have not been convicted of the charges.