Pretoria – Tsakane Matlala and two co-accused have been granted R20,000 bail each in a fraud case linked to an allegedly fraudulent lease for a luxury property in Waterkloof Ridge, while her husband, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, remains in custody.
The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court granted bail to Tsakane, Given Makofane and Claudette Masethe on Wednesday, a day after the trio were arrested in connection with the investigation.
The property was reportedly leased for R95,000 a month, with nearly R1.2 million allegedly paid upfront.
Police are investigating allegations that fraudulent documents were used to acquire properties across Gauteng and secure the Waterkloof lease.
BREAKING NEWS 🚨
Claudette Masethe, Given Makofane and Tsakane Matlala have been granted R20,000 bail each.
Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s bail application has been set down for 14 and 15 October.
The matter has been postponed to 17 November for further investigations, https://t.co/OHfzsDJkV0 pic.twitter.com/k46ZFrCvOk
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) September 23, 2026
The court imposed conditions on the three accused, including that they report to a police station every week and do not contact state witnesses.
“Justice permits the release of accused 2,3,4 on bail, your bail will be set at R20,000 each,” Magistrate Mbele said.
Cat remains in custody
Cat Matlala, who is accused number one in the new matter, remains in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre. His bail proceedings are expected to continue in October.
The State opposed bail only for Matlala, while Tsakane, Makofane and Masethe were released.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe previously said the investigation involved allegations that properties were acquired using fraudulent documents.
[WATCH] NPA clarifies the charges against Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala, his wife Tsakane and two co-accused. The charges relate to a property lease agreement. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/kdHvztOcmX
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 23, 2026
“It is alleged they acquired various properties across Gauteng utilising fraudulent documents,” Mathe said.
Investigators are also probing an allegation that one of the suspects used fraudulent documents to obtain citizenship in Eswatini.
Separate High Court case
The new fraud investigation is separate from the criminal case already before the Johannesburg High Court, in which Tsakane and Cat Matlala are co-accused.
The National Prosecuting Authority said the High Court matter involves 25 charges, including 11 counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering.
Tsakane and her husband have pleaded not guilty in that case.
The latest arrests and fraud investigation are still ongoing, and the allegations against the accused have not been tested in court.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
