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Cat Matlala’s wife Tsakane arrested over alleged fraudulent lease documents
Tsakane Matlala, the wife of controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, has been arrested again, this time in connection with an investigation into an allegedly fraudulent lease agreement.
Tsakane was arrested on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, by members of the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team. Her arrest followed that of a close associate of her husband, who was also taken into custody in connection with the investigation.
According to eNCA, Tsakane is accused of falsifying bank statements to assist Matlala in securing a R95 000 lease agreement for a property in Waterkloof. Police have indicated that the investigation involves allegations that fraudulent documents were used to acquire properties in Gauteng.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Tsakane and the other suspects are expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
“It is alleged they acquired various properties across Gauteng utilising fraudulent documents,” Mathe said, according to IOL.
The latest arrest is separate from the criminal case currently being heard against Tsakane and her husband in the Johannesburg High Court.
Why was Tsakane Matlala arrested again?
Police are investigating an alleged fraudulent lease arrangement involving Matlala.
eNCA reported that Tsakane allegedly falsified bank statements to help her husband obtain a R95 000 lease agreement in Waterkloof. Matlala allegedly used an Eswatini identity document when applying for the lease.
The investigation has already resulted in the arrest of Matlala’s close associate, with two further arrests expected, according to eNCA.
EWN reported that four people in total had been arrested in connection with the suspected fraudulent lease agreement and that investigators were still gathering information about the roles allegedly played by each suspect.
The allegations have not been tested in court and the accused remain presumed innocent unless convicted.
This is not Tsakane’s first arrest
Tsakane’s latest arrest comes just over a year after she was first arrested alongside her husband in connection with the alleged attempted assassination of his former partner, actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane.
In 2025, Matlala, Tsakane and other accused were arrested after investigators linked them to the shooting of Thobejane’s vehicle in Sandton in October 2023.
Thobejane survived the shooting, while a friend who was travelling with her was injured.
Tsakane was subsequently released on R20 000 bail. The Citizen reported that the bail was granted partly because of her health circumstances and her responsibilities as a mother to young children.
At an August 2025 appearance in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, Tsakane was one of the accused who was already out on bail, while Matlala and other accused remained in custody. The matter was being prepared for the centralisation of several criminal dockets.
The case that put the Matlala couple in the High Court
The original case has since grown considerably.
Matlala, Tsakane, Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela and Nthabiseng Nzama are facing 25 charges in the Johannesburg High Court.
The charges relate to three alleged assassination attempts between August 2022 and January 2024, involving Thobejane, businessman and taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, and music producer Seunkie Mokubung, also known as DJ Vettys.
The National Prosecuting Authority previously said the charges included 11 counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, money laundering and other offences.
Tsakane is specifically charged as an alleged accessory after the fact in relation to the attempted killing of Thobejane, as well as facing money-laundering and fraud-related allegations.
On 20 July 2026, all five accused pleaded not guilty when the High Court trial formally got under way.
What has happened in court so far?
The case has been through several stages since the arrests in 2025.
The matter initially appeared before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court while prosecutors worked to centralise multiple dockets from different jurisdictions. The NPA said the dockets included matters originating from Pretoria, Sandton, Orlando and Vereeniging.
By January 2026, the case had moved to the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg for pre-trial proceedings. The NPA confirmed that Matlala, Tsakane and the other accused were facing 25 charges.
The trial eventually began on 20 July.
Tsakane and the other accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. The state has presented its case while the defence has challenged aspects of the evidence.
The proceedings have also included a trial-within-a-trial concerning evidence obtained during Musa Kekana’s 2024 arrest. The High Court has been considering whether that evidence should be admitted in the main case.
Who is Tsakane Matlala?
Tsakane Matlala is best known publicly as Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s wife, but she has also had business interests of her own.
She was previously known as Tsakane Baloyi and has been identified as the sole director of Buena Vista Learning Academy, a company that became the subject of scrutiny during the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
The company was awarded an Ekurhuleni municipal training contract, and evidence presented to the commission raised questions about its registration, accreditation and the amount ultimately paid to the company.
According to reporting on the commission proceedings, the company initially submitted a bid worth R66 500, but payments of approximately R3.7 million were subsequently made to it. The City of Ekurhuleni later asked the Public Protector to investigate the allegations surrounding the contract.
These are allegations and findings being examined through investigative and oversight processes and should not be treated as criminal convictions against Tsakane.
Her husband’s wider legal troubles
Tsakane’s legal problems have unfolded alongside those of her husband, who has become the subject of several criminal investigations and high-profile public inquiries.
Matlala is currently on trial in Johannesburg alongside Tsakane and three other accused over the alleged assassination plots. He has pleaded not guilty.
His name has also featured prominently during the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry following allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi concerning alleged links between organised crime, policing and political influence.
Matlala appeared before the commission in August 2026 and invoked his legal privilege when questioned about the R360 million Medicare24 police health-services contract.
What happens next for Tsakane?
Tsakane is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, together with the other suspects arrested in the latest investigation.
The court appearance should provide more clarity on the exact charges, the alleged fraudulent documents and the state’s case against each accused.
Her new arrest does not replace or automatically affect the High Court case already under way in Johannesburg. That matter concerns the separate allegations arising from the alleged attempted assassination plots and related financial offences.
Tsakane therefore now faces two distinct legal processes – the existing High Court trial in Johannesburg and the newly opened fraud investigation arising from the alleged fraudulent lease and property documents.
Economy
Kaya 959 turns up the heat as Chefs & Chenin talent cooks live on air
Kaya 959 is bringing the flavours of the inaugural Chefs & Chenin Festival to its listeners, with some of the chefs taking over the station for a live cooking experience ahead of the two-day culinary celebration.
Chef Mahalia Jackson, Jacques Venter, Chef Tebogo Morgan and Saviour Moyo will be showcasing their culinary skills on air, giving listeners a taste of what they can expect when Chefs & Chenin takes place at Crawford International Sandton College on 26 and 27 September 2026.
The festival is presented in partnership with Kaya 959 and celebrates two distinctly South African passions – cooking over fire and Chenin Blanc.
Bringing the festival to Kaya 959
The live cooking sessions give Kaya 959 listeners an opportunity to get closer to the chefs and the food that will form part of the festival experience.
Rather than simply talking about what is coming, the chefs are putting their skills on display in the Kaya 959 studio, building anticipation for a weekend where food will be cooked over open flames and paired with South Africa’s much-loved Chenin Blanc.
The festival is designed as a celebration of food, wine, music and local creativity, with a Harvest Market, live entertainment, kids’ activities and an art exhibition also forming part of the programme.
Meet the chefs
Chef Mahalia Jackson brings more than three decades of experience in the culinary industry to the line-up. She is an executive chef, entrepreneur and published author, and has been the managing director of Added Touch Catering & Events since 2005.
Her career has included major corporate events and high-profile gatherings, with Jackson also having served guests including former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki and international diplomats. She is also the author of Dare to Dream, a recipe book and memoir which won an African Authors Award in the Food Category.
Jacques Venter has built a career across different parts of Johannesburg’s culinary scene. According to his Chefs & Chenin profile, he began his career in 2003 as a commis chef at The Castle Kyalami before progressing to sous chef.
His experience has included fine dining at Roots restaurant at Forum Homini, work at Coco C in Bloemfontein and a stint at the Radisson Blu Sandton, where he worked his way up to executive sous chef. Since 2019, he has been part of the Pick n Pay group as a food specialist at Pick n Pay on Nicol and Thyme restaurant.
Chef Tebogo Morgan, the chef behind CRAVINGS, Gourmet Rainbow Cuisine, brings a fusion approach to the festival. Born in Mthatha and raised in Johannesburg, Morgan trained through the International Chef Management Diploma at Capsicum Culinary Studio in Cape Town.
His culinary style, which he describes as “Fire & Fusion”, brings together Asian and Mediterranean influences with open-fire cooking.
Saviour Moyo, who is also associated with Saint Restaurant Sandton, rounds out the group of chefs appearing as part of the Kaya 959 activation.
More than just food
Chefs & Chenin is being positioned as an experience rather than a conventional food festival.
General access tickets include a tasting meal at a pop-up restaurant of the guest’s choice, where chefs will showcase their food through live-fire cooking. There will also be curated Chenin Blanc tastings, alongside the Harvest Market, live music and entertainment for children.
The festival’s focus on open-fire cooking also taps into a familiar South African food tradition, while the Chenin Blanc element highlights one of the country’s most important wine varieties.
With Kaya 959 providing the radio platform and the chefs bringing the food to life on air, the build-up is giving audiences a preview of what awaits at Crawford International Sandton College.
Chefs & Chenin takes place on 26 and 27 September 2026. Tickets are available through Webtickets.
