Latest news with #Muvhango
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
New charges expected as Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala murder case widens
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. IOL News
IOL News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Alleged crime kingpin and tenderpreneur Vusimuzi ‘Cat' Matlala in court over attempted murder charges
Vusimuzi 'Cat ' Matlala a wealthy government contractor, will appear at the Alexandra Regional Court for attempted murder charges. Image: IOL Graphics 'High-risk' controversial tender tycoon and crime accused Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala is expected to appear in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court on Friday morning, following his decision to abandon a bail application last month. His wife, Tsakani Matlala, was granted bail of R20,000. Matlala, 49, who is a Pretoria businessman, faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering. He is currently being held at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre's C-Max unit. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The Matlalas face charges linked to a high-profile attack on actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane, who survived a dramatic shooting incident in October 2023 on the N1 highway near Sandton, Johannesburg. Thobejane, known for her role on the popular television drama Muvhango, was shot in the foot, while a female passenger in the car sustained a serious spinal cord injury. Matlala's wife, Tsakani, was added to the case in May. Last month, the court was told that the lawyers on both sides had made a deal before the hearing. This was because of her health and the fact that she has small children, the prosecutors did not argue against letting her out on bail. As part of her bail conditions, Tsakani was ordered to surrender her passport, remain in Gauteng, and refrain from contacting witnesses or relatives of the other accused. Matlala was arrested in Midrand on May 14 following what police described as a high-profile investigation. Officials say he was behind the hit attempt on Thobejane and helped clean millions in dirty money, including cash from a shady R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) tender. Matlala, who used to show off luxury cars, and huge houses, now shares a maximum-security prison with high-profile criminals like convicted killer Thabo Bester. Recently, a mobile phone was discovered in Matlala's possession during a raid led by Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale at Kgosi Mampuru's C-Max section. The device was confiscated and handed over to SAPS. 'Cat Matlala is at the C-Max correction facility because of a classification. He is classified as high-risk,' Thobakgale said. 'On Sunday morning, we did a surprise search and found a cellphone in his possession.' At the time of the discovery, Matlala was being housed in a medium-security section of the prison, referred to as 'local.' Thobakgale said investigations are ongoing to determine how he accessed the device. 'When we find objects like cellphones in cases that are high-risk like this one, we hand the object over to the South African Police Service, which is what we did immediately,' Thobakgale said. Matlala has recently been linked to Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu in serious allegations of interference and misconduct within the police service, made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. During a press conference held in Durban on Sunday, Mkhwanazi alleged that Mchunu was the subject of a criminal investigation and implicated in a broader scheme involving corrupt elements within SAPS leadership. Matlala's company had been awarded a R360-million health services tender from the SAPS. However the tender has since been scrapped. In May 2025, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola cancelled the contract, stating that Matlala's firm should not have progressed beyond the initial bidding stage. Meanwhile, Mchunu has rejected the allegations and denied any connection to Matlala. IOL
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Simz Ngema opens up about recovery after surgery in Turkey
"I wanted to fix what was ruined by pregnancy." Actress and singer Simphiwe 'Simz' Ngema recently opened up about her recovery following a 'mommy makeover' in Turkey. Ngema, who shares two sons with media personality Tino Chinyani, gave birth to their second child in November last year. The couple welcomed their first son in 2020. She took to Instagram to explain her reasons for undergoing the procedure. 'I went for a more natural look. I wanted to fix what was ruined by pregnancy,' she said. Ngema said she now looks like she did before having children. 'Some people prefer to do more. My boobs are still the same size — they're just not sagging anymore — and my tummy is back to what it looked like before I had my children,' she added. ALSO READ: 'Who said sangomas shouldn't look good?': Gogo Manzini recovering after 6 reconstructive surgeries in Turkey, including BBL Opening up about her healing process on day four post-surgery, the former Muvhango star said she was feeling much better. 'Three of my drains have been empty since yesterday. There's only one drain that had to be emptied. Still a little uncomfortable. 'You know when you've slept on your arm for a long time, and it feels numb? That's what my tummy feels like. My boobs are fine — I'm starting to feel a bit of sensation in my nipples.' Simz Ngema's post-surgery update. Pictures: Instagram Stories/Screenshot NOW READ: Lerato Kganyago and husband book American R&B star Tank for Ndlala Mall launch
IOL News
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Simphiwe Ngema's transformation: a 'mommy makeover' journey filled with surprises and recovery updates
Simphiwe Ngema, an actress and singer, has been documenting her 'mommy makeover' recovery on Instagram stories, following her recent trip to Turkey for the procedure. Image: Instagram South African actress, Simphiwe Ngema, affectionately known as Simz Ngema, has joined the list of celebrities who have undergone cosmetic surgery to enhance their features. Ngema, who did her surgery on July 27, shared on her social media accounts that she is doing a 'mommy makeover' in Turkey with Mono Clinic, a popular cosmetic clinic among SA celebrities. According to The Cosmetic Surgery Institute, a 'mommy makeover' is a combination of cosmetic surgeries which is done to address body changes after pregnancy and help achieve a more defined appearance. These surgeries include a tummy tuck for a flatter stomach, breast procedures to improve size or lift and liposuction for stubborn fat. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Ngema has two children, 5-year-old Tiyani and 6-month-old Kaboentle, whom she shares with Tino Chinyani. Taking to her Instagram stories, the former 'Muvhango' actress has been updating her fans on her recovery journey since she underwent the procedure. A screenshot of Simphiwe Ngema's recovery from her surgery wearing compression garments, which help with the post-op healing journey. Image: Instagram stories On Monday, June 30, she shared: 'Day 4 of recovery: I'm feeling so much better. 3 of my drains are empty since yesterday. There's only one drain that had to be emptied. Still a little uncomfortable. 'You know when you've slept on your arm for a long time and it feels numb? That's what my tummy feels like. My boobs are fine. I'm starting to feel a bit of sensation on my nipples." A screenshot of Simphiwe Ngema opening up about her healing process. Image: Instagram stories The mother of two, accompanied by her mother, Ethel Ngema, has also been sharing some of her pictures wearing compression garments, which help the healing process after the procedure. Celebs/ influencers who have done cosmetic procedures: For the past few years, the rise of plastic surgery among local celebrities has been significant, as many have been showing their post-op journey on social media. Khanyi Mbau got a facelift, Shamiso Mosaka and Thuli Phongolo did a BBL, Amanda du Pont had a breast augmentation, Cyan Boujee did a breast lift, BBL and gastric sleeve. While Gogo Skhotheni had a tummy tuck, liposuction and filled her hip dips, Jojo Robinson underwent 11 surgeries, including a facelift, necklift, tummy tuck, four breast augmentations and many more procedures. Where do celebs/ influencers go under the knife? The go-to location for these surgeries is usually Turkey for many influencers and celebrities; only a few have had their procedures locally. According to an article by "Independent Media Lifestyle', the rise of plastic surgeries among influencers or celebrities is because it is deemed a cheaper alternative, and these international clinics also offer discounts. However, a cheaper alternative comes at a cost since some of these celebrities and influencers end up with botched surgeries, which lead to yet another surgery and more money.
IOL News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Tributes pour in for veteran actress Meme Ditshego who has died at 60
The South African entertainment has lost one of its most beloved actors, Meme Ditshego, who died on Wednesday, June 25, at the age of 60. Her passing was confirmed by her talent agency, Eye Media Artists. The cause of death has still not been revealed. Ditshego is renowned for her iconic roles in popular local TV shows, including SABC 2's 'Ga Re Dumele', where she played the iconic role of Josephine Ratau. She has starred in 'The Coconuts', 'Muvhango' '7de Laan' and most recently, 'Cobrizi.'
