Four accused in alleged fraudulent lease agreement appear in Pretoria court

Four people, including businessman Vusumuzi Matlala and his wife, Tsakani Matlala, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday in connection with an alleged fraudulent lease agreement.

Matlala, 50, Tsakani Matlala, 38, Claudette Masethe, 31, and Given Makofane, 46, are facing two counts of fraud, two counts of uttering and forgery.

Vusumuzi Matlala is also facing a charge of contravening the Identification Act.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the accused allegedly acted with a common purpose in January 2025 to falsify documents to secure a lease agreement for a property in Waterkloof Heights, Pretoria, through a real estate agent.

The NPA further alleges that between 13 and 21 January 2025, Matlala unlawfully possessed an identity document issued in the name of Vusumuzi Dlamini, which purportedly indicated an association with the Eswatini Royal House, to obtain the lease.

Matlala did not proceed with his bail application. The State intends to oppose his bail application, which is scheduled for 14 and 15 October.

The other three accused were granted R20 000 bail each. Their bail conditions include not contacting State witnesses, reporting at their nearest police stations, surrendering their passports to the investigating officer and informing the officer if they intend travelling outside the province.

The State did not oppose their release on bail.

The matter against Tsakani Matlala, Masethe and Makofane was postponed to 29 October for further investigation.