Alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala appeared briefly at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning, as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) moves to consolidate multiple dockets from various jurisdictions, with plans to transfer the matter to the Johannesburg High Court.

Matlala, 49, a businessman, was joined in court by his four co-accused, Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, his wife Tsakani Matlala, and Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama.

He faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering. 

The charges relate to the 2023 shooting of his ex-girlfriend, actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane, on the N1 highway near Sandton. 

Thobejane, known for her role in Muvhango, was shot in the foot during the incident.

A female passenger in the vehicle suffered a severe spinal injury and has since been left paralysed.

Matlala was previously denied bail during his appearance in September. 

Magistrate Syta Prinsloo previously ruled he had failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances justifying his release, adding that he may pose a flight risk.

The state had opposed bail, citing Matlala’s alleged access to a private jet, foreign assets in Mauritius, and possession of a fraudulent Eswatini identity document. 

According to prosecutors, the ID – bearing a different surname – was sent to Matlala by his wife, Tsakani, and cellphone records show he had travelled to Eswatini on at least three occasions.

Through his senior counsel, Advocate Laurence Hodes SC, Matlala has denied all allegations. 

He also denied owning a private jet or boat, accusing the investigating officer of lying under oath.

His defence has argued that data found on his confiscated electronic devices – allegedly linking him to politicians and law enforcement officials – was planted by the state.

All four of his co-accused, including his wife, are charged in connection with the case. Tsakani Matlala is currently out on bail. 

The fifth accused, Nzama, who is also out on bail, was recently added to the case on money laundering charges.

NPA spokesperson in Gauteng Phindi Mjonondwana previously outlined the state’s plans to centralise the case, which mean the state combining the dockets.

“You will recall that on this matter there’s a Vereeniging case, as well as two cases from Pretoria,” she said.

“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).”

The seven dockets, two from Orlando, two from Pretoria, two from Sandton, and one from Vereeniging, are said to be linked by common elements. 

The NPA intends to streamline the prosecution process by handling them together, with a view to transferring the consolidated matter to the Johannesburg High Court.

The matter, presided over by Magistrates Renier Boshoff and Syta Prinsloo, has been postponed until November 11 for centralisation.

The postponement comes as the state said it requires time to finalise the processes for centralisation.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News

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