Business tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is expected to appear in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court
Business tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is expected to appear in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for a formal bail application, although the state has indicated it will oppose his release.
Matlala, 49, stands 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 last week alongside four co-accused, including his wife, Tsakani Matlala, under heavy police guard and in shackles.
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,” Prinsloo said.
The four co-accused are expected to return to court on October 7, when the state is due to proceed with the centralisation of seven dockets from various jurisdictions, including Orlando, Pretoria West, Sandton and Vereeniging.
Tsakani Matlala and Nthabiseng Nzama, 23, the daughter of another accused, were previously granted bail.
Tsakani was added to the charge sheet in May and released on R20,000 bail due to poor health and her role as a mother.
Her bail conditions include surrendering her passport, remaining within Gauteng and having no contact with witnesses or relatives of the other accused.
Matlala was arrested on May 14, in Midrand following what police described as 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.
The tender, awarded to a company allegedly linked to Matlala, was cancelled in May by Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who stated 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 disclose 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,” Mjonondwana said.
She also elaborated on the state’s intention to centralise 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,” 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 reportedly linked by common elements and will be handled together to streamline the prosecution process.
The state has indicated its intention 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
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