Cat Matlala’s wife to appear in Pretoria court in fraud probe over R1.2m property deal

The wife of alleged cartel leader Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is due to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court after her arrest in a fraud and corruption probe linked to property deals in Gauteng.

Arrest and court appearance

Tsakane Matlala was arrested on Tuesday morning during a Gauteng operation conducted by specialised counterintelligence and operations task teams and is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

She was arrested alongside three co-accused as part of the operation, the police said.

Allegations over property and lease

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the investigation “centres on allegations that properties were acquired using fraudulent documents.”

“It is alleged they acquired various properties across Gauteng utilising fraudulent documents,” Mathe said.

Investigators are also examining an alleged fraudulent lease for a luxury property in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria. The property was reportedly leased for R95,000 a month, with nearly R1.2 million allegedly paid upfront.

Wider legal context for the Matlala family

The latest arrests add to ongoing legal challenges linked to the Matlala name. Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala remains detained at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre after being denied bail and is already a co-accused with his wife in a separate 25-count criminal case before the Johannesburg High Court.

The charges in that high‑court case include attempted murder, conspiracy, fraud and money laundering. Matlala is also facing separate corruption allegations connected to the R228 million Medicare 24 Tshwane District contract.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption said Matlala and two of his companies are expected to be joined with other accused in the Medicare 24 matter, and that case is due back in court later this month.

What investigators say next

Police said the arrests place the alleged property transactions and the substantial sums involved under renewed scrutiny as investigators pursue the matter.