John Tlale out on bail for alleged R1.9-million theft

According to the Sunday World, John Tlale – who featured for Bafana in the 1990s and early 2000s, and was an iconic player for Sundowns – recently spent time in police cells along with his business partner after allegedly being involved in stealing R1.9-million from a construction company.

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On Wednesday, John Tlale confirmed to Sunday World that he handed himself over to police last week after apparently being informed that authorities were looking for him.

It’s stated that Simphonya Construction company, where he serves as the marketing director, had secured a pavement project from the Matjhabeng local municipality.

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Ex-Mamelodi-Sundowns player and football legend John Tlale was allegedly arrested and appeared in court recently. This was after the wife of his deceased employer filed theft charges against him and two of his associates, accusing them of stealing money meant for a contract they… pic.twitter.com/2SpJtL9LS8

— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) November 30, 2023

JOHN TLALE NOW OUT ON BAIL

In a turn of events, though, Tlale suggested the owner of the company, Nico Rasethunya, died before the company could start working on the pavement project.

“I then called a meeting and suggested that we bring in his [owner] wife to work with us or at least benefit from the project, because we understood there were children that needed to be supported,” he explained.

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“We agreed that the wife would get around R90 000 a month from the project, even though she did not do anything. Neither did she attend our meetings. It was out of pity, respect and honour of the family.”

However, it’s then suggested that the wife brought in a legal expert to assess if she was being left out of company proceeds, and soon after theft concerns were apparently raised.

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WARRANTS OF ARREST ISSUED

Free State police spokesperson Stephen Thakeng confirmed that warrants of arrest were issued for Tlale, alleged accomplice accomplice Kgosietsile Sebetso and a third suspect, Josias Mokone, who remains a wanted man.

“The late husband of the complainant was the owner and the three suspects were directors of the same companies, including the wife,” said Thakeng.

“During May 2017, the wife was removed from the companies as a director without her knowledge. From 15 February 2017 until 3 June 2017, there were multiple transactions made on the companies’ bank accounts that she had not authorised or had any knowledge thereof.

“Cash that amounts to R1.9-million was stolen.”

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