Business tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala will spend at least another week behind bars after the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday postponed his formal bail application to September 2.

Matlala, 49, is accused of orchestrating a 2023 hit on his ex-girlfriend, actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane, and faces charges including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering.

The accused made a brief appearance alongside four co-accused – including his wife, Tsakani Matlala – under heavy police guard and in shackles.

He has been transported to the C-Max unit at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre, where he is held as a high-risk inmate, alongside convicted murderer Thabo Bester.

The case stems from a 2023 shooting on the N1 near Sandton, during which Thobejane – known for her role in Muvhango – was shot in the foot. 

A female passenger in her vehicle sustained a serious spinal injury.

During proceedings, Magistrate Dyta Prinsloo formally postponed Matlala’s bail application.

“With regards to accused number three (Cat Matlala), the matter is postponed until September 2 back to this court for a formal bail application. He will then remain in custody with no bail.”

The other two were also denied bail.

The four co-accused will return to court on October 7, when the State is expected to proceed with the centralisation of seven dockets from various jurisdictions. 

These include cases from Orlando, Pretoria West, Sandton, and Vereeniging.

Matlala’s wife, Tsakani Matlala, and the daughter of another accused, Nthabiseng Nzama, 23, were previously granted bail.

Tsakani was added to the charge sheet in May and granted R20,000 bail due to poor health and her role as a mother. 

Her bail conditions include surrendering her passport, remaining within Gauteng, and no contact with witnesses or relatives of the other accused.

Matlala was arrested on May 14, in Midrand, following what police called a “high-profile investigation.” 

He also stands accused of laundering millions of rand, including funds linked to a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) health services tender.

That tender, awarded to a company linked to Matlala, was cancelled in May by Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who said the company should never have passed the initial bidding stage.

Outside court, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Pindi Mjonondwana confirmed the State would oppose Matlala’s bail application, but declined to reveal specific grounds.

“As the State, we are ready and intend to oppose the bail application of Mr Matlala, as he indicated that next week he will make his bail application bid,” she said.

Mjonondwana also explained the reason for the planned centralisation of the cases.

“The centralisation means us as the State combining the dockets, which will include three dockets from different jurisdictions. You will recall that on this matter there’s a Vereeniging case, as well as two cases from Pretoria.”

“Now those cases fall under the jurisdiction of Pretoria, hence we saw the need to apply for centralisation and get approval from the office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).”

She said the seven dockets – two from Orlando, two from Pretoria, two from Sandton and one from Vereeniging – were all linked by common elements and would be handled together to streamline the process.

The State has indicated its intent to eventually transfer the consolidated matter to the Johannesburg High Court.

The charges against Matlala and his co-accused include attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering, tied to what investigators allege is a network of corruption, fraud and violence orchestrated by the businessman.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News

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