High Court to decide if Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala walks free on bail over alleged hit on his ex-girlfriend
The High Court in Johannesburg will deliver its ruling on Friday in the bail appeal of controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is accused of ordering a hit on his ex-girlfriend, actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane, in 2023.
Matlala appeared in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday to appeal the denial of his bail after being refused release last month.
He is charged with the attempted murder of Thobejane following a shooting incident on the N1 highway near Sandton in 2023.
He also faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering.
Thobejane, known for her role in Muvhango, was allegedly shot in the foot during the attack.
Matlala was denied bail in September at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court after Magistrate Syta Prinsloo ruled that he had failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances justifying his release and found that he posed a flight risk.
The State opposed bail, pointing to Matlala’s alleged access to a private jet, foreign assets in Mauritius, and possession of a fraudulent Eswatini identity document.
However, on Monday, Matlala’s legal team, advocate Laurance Hodes, SC, argued that the State misled the court by claiming the accused owned a private jet and a boat in Mauritius.
Hodes said there was no evidence of either asset and therefore nothing to indicate that Matlala was a flight risk.
He added that Matlala had been aware of the investigation since December 2024 and had consistently cooperated with authorities, including undergoing a 10-hour interrogation.
The State, which continues to oppose bail, countered that Matlala was found with a cellphone during a raid at Kgosi Mampuru prison, demonstrating his ability to bypass lawful restrictions and communicate with the outside world, potentially endangering witnesses.
Prosecutors said the cellphone contained the contact information of a police officer saved as “operator” and showed attempted contact from North West businessman Brown Mogotsi.
Mogotsi has been implicated in broader claims of police corruption by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, among others.
The State also argued that Matlala had failed to submit proper evidence in support of his bail application.
Meanwhile, Judge Pieter du Plessis reserved judgment in the bail appeal, with a decision expected on Friday.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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