By Johnathan Paoli
The wife of alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is among four people arrested in a fraud and corruption investigation allegedly involving fraudulent acquiring of properties across Gauteng as well as alleged fake Eswatini citizenship.
Speaking to Inside Politics, National Police Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the arrest.
“Four suspects have been arrested in connection with allegations of fraud and corruption involving a property lease and the alleged acquisition of citizenship in the Kingdom of Eswatini using fraudulent documents,” Mathe said.
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Tsakane Matlala was reportedly arrested on Tuesday as investigators moved against people allegedly linked to the acquisition of properties using fraudulent documents.
A close associate of Matlala was also arrested early on Tuesday morning in Pretoria, followed by two further arrests, bringing the number of people in custody to four.
But, speaking to NewzroomAfrika outside of the Randburg Magistrate’s court, Mathe said they could not identify the suspects at this stage.
“But we do confirm this is in relation to fraud and corruption on a number of cases which relates to, you know, fraudulent acquiring of properties across Gauteng, utilising, you know, fraudulent documents and so on,” Mathe said.
She confirmed the four suspects would appear in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
“I cannot go into further details, but basically, that’s why the four have been arrested. But we can confirm that they will appear before the Pretoria Magistrates Court tomorrow morning on those particular charges,” she said.
It has been reported that Tsakane Matlala’s arrest could possibly relate to a controversial R1.2 million lease agreement involving a multi-million-rand mansion in Waterkloof.
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Investigators are reportedly probing allegations that fraudulent documents were used to secure the lease.
Matlala and Tsakane are currently on trial alongside three other co-accused for the attempted murder of socialite, actress and Matlala’s former partner, Tebogo Thobejane.
New details of the fraud investigation are expected to emerge when the four appear in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
This is a developing story.
