The murder case against controversial business tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, his wife, and two others is expected to resume at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, north of Johannesburg, on Tuesday morning.

He is expected to face additional charges as legal proceedings over the alleged attempted murder of socialite Tebogo Thobejane continue to unfold.

Matlala and his three co-accused appeared in court in Alexandra last month. 

They face charges related to a 2023 shooting on the N1 near Sandton, during which Thobejane – known for her role in the television drama “Muvhango” – was shot in the foot. A female passenger sustained a serious spinal injury.

The state has announced plans to centralise two other pending matters – one in Pretoria West and another in Lyttelton – into the current case.

Magistrate Rennie Boshoff postponed proceedings to August 26.

“All the cases for the accused have been remanded to August 26,” Boshoff said.

During the court appearance, there was a large police presence by the members of the special task force.

Matlala, 49, appeared in shackles and was transported under heavy guard to the maximum-security C-Max unit at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre.

He is accused of orchestrating a network of corruption, fraud and violence. 

The co-accused include his wife, Tsakani Matlala (accused number four), Musa Kekana (accused number one), and Tiegi Floyd Mabusela, also known as Danny (accused number two).

The charges include attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering.

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

Her bail conditions included surrendering her passport, remaining in Gauteng, and avoiding contact with witnesses or relatives of the other accused.

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

He stands accused of orchestrating the alleged hit on Thobejane and laundering millions, including funds linked to a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) health services tender.

The contract, awarded to a company linked to Matlala, was cancelled in May by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who said the firm should never have advanced past the initial bidding phase.

The contract has since been scrapped.

Once known for flaunting luxury vehicles and opulent properties, Matlala is now classified as a high-risk inmate at the C-Max unit in Kgoshi Mampuru Correctional Centre, where he is held alongside convicted killer Thabo Bester.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News

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