New charges expected as Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala murder case widens

IOL News

4 days ago

Vusumizi 'Cat' Matlala and his wife, Tsakani, including their co-accused appeared in court for attempted murder charges.
Controversial businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala is expected to face additional charges, as legal proceedings over the alleged attempted murder of socialite Tebogo Thobejane continue to unfold.
On Friday, Matlala and three co-accused appeared at the Alexandra Magistrate's Court. 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 was left with a serious spinal injury.
The state 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 26 August.
'All the cases for the accused have been remanded to August 26,' Boshoff said.
The court appearance drew a large special task force police presence, highlighting the high-profile nature of the case. 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. Co-accused include his wife, Tsakani Matlala, Musa Kekana (accused number one), and Tiegi Floyd Mabusela, also known as Danny. Charges against them 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 of young children. Bail conditions include surrendering her passport, remaining in Gauteng, and avoiding contact with witnesses or relatives of the other accused.
Matlala was arrested in Midrand on 14 May following what police termed 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. That 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.
Once known for flaunting luxury vehicles and opulent properties, Matlala is now classified as a high-risk inmate at C-Max, where he is held alongside convicted killer Thabo Bester. During a recent raid, a mobile phone was found in his possession. An internal investigation is under way.
'Cat Matlala is at the C-Max correctional facility because of a classification. He is classified as high-risk,' Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale confirmed. 'On Sunday morning, we did a surprise search and found a cellphone in his possession.'
At the time, Matlala had been housed in a medium-security section of the prison. Authorities are probing how he obtained the device. It has been handed to the SAPS.
Separately, Matlala's name has emerged in politically charged allegations. During a recent press briefing in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was under criminal investigation and linked to corrupt elements within the SAPS. Mkhwanazi cited Matlala's allegedly irregular tender award as an example of systemic issues.
Mchunu has denied any association with Matlala, describing the allegations as baseless.
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