Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s defence has called on the High Court in Johannesburg to grant him bail, stating that the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court erred in its decision to deny him bail.

This was heard during his bail appeal application on Monday morning.

Last month, Matlala unsuccessfully applied for bail, with the lower court ruling that he is a flight risk and a danger to society.

He is accused of orchestrating the failed assassination of his former partner, Tebogo Thobejane, in 2023.

Matlala’s attorney, Laurance Hodes, says that should bail be granted, he will comply with all conditions attached to his release.

“The magistrate clearly erred in the onus that she had in the case law that the applicant has given a reasonable opportunity to do so in section 7 b satisfied the onus of a schedule 5 offence, that onus permits his release on bail and an onus of the state concerning his release on bail can be cured by implementing conditions. We had proposed the amount of R100 000 and he said that if bail is a larger amount, his family will be in a position to assist.”

VIDEO | Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala appeals his bail ruling: