Latest news with #VusiMatlala
The South African
10-07-2025
- The South African
Serial killers to flashy fraudsters: Kgosi Mampuru's infamous inmates
Kgosi Mampuru – the home of high-profile and dangerous inmates like Thabo Bester, Vusi Matlala, and Rosemary Ndlovu, among many others – is one of only two super-maximum security prisons in South Africa. With its 24-hour surveillance and solitary confinement, the correctional centre's C-Max division is cited as being 'impossible for a security breach'. Previously known as Pretoria Central Prison, it was renamed by former President Jacob Zuma in 2013. Housed in Kgosi Mampura is the C-Max division, a maximum security section of the correctional centre. Calling it home are several past and present high-profile inmates like… Apartheid-era assassin Eugene Terblanche Killer nurse Daisy de Melker Chris Hani killer Janusz Walus Serial rapist Ananias Mathe Serial murderer Rosemary Ndlovu 'Dros Rapist' Nicholas Ninow Reeva Steenkamp's murderer, Oscar Pistorius Murderer, rapist and fraudster Thabo Bester Also being held at Kgosi Mampuru is controversial tenderpreneur Vusi Matlala, accused of fraud, attempted murder, among many other charges. The hotshot businessman was recently moved to maximum security after he was found with a cellphone in his medium security prison cell over the weekend. In 2019, former Minister of Correctional Services Ronald Lamola reopened the doors to Kgosi Mampuru's C-Max division after a multi-million rand upgrade. The division can hold between 300 and 500 inmates. It is known for the following… 24-hour surveillance High-tech control both in and outside the prison. Round-the-clock contact with 'selected high trade correctional officers.' Inmates who spend 23 out of 24 hours inside their cells under solitary confinement and are shackled whenever they leave. Thabo Bester and Vusi Matlala are fellow inmates at Kgosi Mampuru's C-Max prison. Images via X Lamola said at the time: 'This place is a maximum facility where we house hardened criminals or inmates who are placed in the facility for behavioural modification, and to ensure that they conduct themselves in a disciplined manner in line with the Correctional Services Act'. Former Correctional Services National Commissioner, Arthur Fraser, added about Kgosi Mampuru's C-Max: 'This facility is designed in a way that makes it close to impossible for a security breach, especially with regard to escapes'. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
10-07-2025
- The South African
Mansions to C-Max: Thabo Bester and Vusi Matlala are now neighbours
A surprise raid by the Department of Correctional Services has confirmed that notorious criminal Thabo Bester is in the company of fellow inmates with high-profile figures like Vusi 'Cat' Matlala and Radovan Krejčíř at the Kgosi Mampuru prison. The trio is being kept under maximum security and 24-hour surveillance. The C-Max correctional facility is known for housing offenders like serial rapist Ananias Mathe, serial murderer Rosemary Ndlovu and Chris Hani's murderer Janusz Walus. On Tuesday, 8 July, Correctional Services National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, conducted a surprise raid at the Kgosi Mampuru prison. A clip posted on social media confirmed several high-profile profiles like Thabo Bester, Vusi 'Cat' Matlala, and Radovan Krejčíř were incarcerated on the same floor. The trio is being kept in isolation behind steel doors under 24-hour surveillance. Like Thabo Bester, Vusi Matlala now calls Kgosi Mampuru home. Both men are awaiting trial on high-profile charges. Images via YouTube screenshot: SABC News. Kgosi Mampuru is one of two super-maximum security prisons in South Africa, the other being Ebongweni in Kokstad. Like Thabo Bester, Vusi Matlala has been accused of being a hotshot businessman who lived a flashy lifestyle and ran a string of businesses aided by high-ranking connections and fraudulent tenders. Bester is still serving time for his life sentences relating to rape and murder. He is also awaiting trial over charges of his 2022 prison escape, as well as fraud, corruption, and violating multiple bodies. Meanwhile, Matlala is currently facing charges of money laundering. He is also charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder based on a 2023 attempted hit on his ex-girlfriend, socialite Tebojo Thobejane. Vusi Matlala was recently transferred to Kgosi Mampuru's C-Max after he was discovered in possession of a cellphone over the weekend. In 2023, Thabo Bester was also transferred to the maximum security facility after his prison escape from Magaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein a year earlier. During his incarceration, Bester unlawfully made use of the cellphones and laptops at his disposal in his cell. In a follow-up raid this week, Matlala shared his concerns with the National Commissioner about his designer belongings. Thobakgale said of Matlala's complaints: 'He knows how he needs to channel the request. The same with Thabo Bester, he made a request. And the last time I was here, he submitted something to me in writing.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
News24
09-07-2025
- Politics
- News24
‘Cat' caught with cell in jail; Coach in child sex crime: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. Vusi 'Cat' Matlala caught with cellphone in cell – prison authorities - Vusi 'Cat' Matlala, an awaiting trialist, was found with a cellphone in his prison cell during a raid. - He has been transferred to the C-Max section of Kgosi Mampuru prison as a result. - Matlala is also linked to bribery allegations involving Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and former police minister Bheki Cele, raising national security concerns. Supplied/Somerset County Prosecutor's Office SA hockey coach booted from US for child sex crime back on home turf - Former hockey coach Brett Clay, convicted of a sex crime against a minor in the US, is back in South Africa, prompting the SA Hockey Association to warn members about the risk associated with him. - Women he coached in KwaZulu-Natal are now accusing him of similar grooming and inappropriate behaviour dating back over a decade, including soliciting explicit images. - One woman alleges Clay threatened to disseminate explicit photos she sent him, and she is now considering legal options. Khaya Ngwenya/City Press/Gallo Images Gigaba's bid to block ex-wife's tell-all Showmax interview thrown out - Malusi Gigaba sought an urgent interdict to stop Showmax from airing an interview with his ex-wife, Nomachule Mngoma. - Gigaba claimed the interview contained damaging allegations about infidelity, pornography addiction and misuse of taxpayer funds. - The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg dismissed the application, deeming it not urgent and questioning the timing of Gigaba's action. Criminal charges imminent over George building collapse - Criminal charges are expected for those responsible for the George building collapse. - Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson received a damning report from ECSA outlining preventable errors and negligence. - The report highlights regulatory failures and professional negligence in the incident. Godongwana to review state bosses' pay - The Treasury will review the pay of CEOs and board members in state agencies as part of a drive to rationalise government spending. - Two other spending reviews are planned: an audit of ghost workers and a review of infrastructure conditional grants. - Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana clarified that he, in consultation with the South African Reserve Bank, is responsible for setting the inflation target. Christian Horner to leave Red Bull with immediate effect - Christian Horner has been sacked as Red Bull's Formula 1 team principal after 20 years. - Laurent Mekies will take over CEO duties at Red Bull Racing immediately. - The announcement follows the British Grand Prix, where Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished fifth. ARTUR WIDAK / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP How much is that in rands? A South African guide to currency, card fees and cash abroad - South African banks charge foreign transaction fees (2-3%) on international purchases, plus potential currency conversion markups and ATM withdrawal fees, so research your card's specific fee structure. - Always choose to pay in the local currency at foreign ATMs or card machines to avoid inflated exchange rates set by the merchant or ATM operator. - Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to reduce flat ATM fees and be aware of daily/monthly withdrawal limits set by your bank, potentially increasing them before departure.
News24
09-07-2025
- Politics
- News24
Vusi ‘Cat' Matlala caught with cellphone in cell
Tenderpreneur and awaiting trialist Vusi 'Cat' Matlala was caught with a cellphone in his cell in Kgosi Mampuru prison over the weekend, according to the correctional services department. On Wednesday, department spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the cellphone was discovered during a raid. 'One of the raids conducted over the past weekend led to the discovery of a mobile phone in Mr Matlala's cell. The discovery led to the department taking action, and the remand inmate was then transferred to the facility's C-Max section,' he said. KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has alleged that there was a long-standing relationship between Matlala and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and that Matlala bribed the minister while he was under investigation for multiple scandals. On Tuesday, News24 also reported that former police minister Bheki Cele stayed in Matlala's luxury Pretoria penthouse, despite Cele's denial of any business relationship with Matlala. Matlala's company won a R360-million police tender while Cele was minister, and Mkhwanazi's revelations have triggered a national security concern, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to call for restraint. He is also accused of arranging to have his influencer girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, killed.
News24
03-06-2025
- General
- News24
Wife of attempted murder accused Vusi Matlala released on R20,000 bail in Tebogo Thobejane case; husband remains in custody
The fourth suspect in the alleged murder case has been granted bail at the Alexandra Magistrates Court. Tsakani, wife to business tycoon Vusi Matlala, was arrested on Thursday, 29 May, as an accomplice to the murder plot of socialite and actress, Tebogo Thobejane. The two are charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, and attempt to defeat the ends of justice, alongside Musa Kekana (35) and Tiego Floyd Mabusela (47), who are believed to have been the hitmen hired. In today's court proceedings, Matlala's lawyers prioritised the release of Tsakani, leaving Vusimuzi behind bars to await his next court appearance scheduled for Friday, 11 July at the Johannesburg High Court for an indictment. Read more | Tebogo Thobejane's alleged attempted killer to apply for bail Ahead of the bail application, Tebogo voiced her concerns about the possibility of her alleged killers roaming free. 'I never thought I'd have to live in fear after surviving an attempt on my life. But here I am, shaking because the very people who plotted to kill me may be granted bail on Tuesday. A husband and wife, both involved in a conspiracy to have me murdered, are among the accused. The woman, someone I once knew, used her power and her money to orchestrate bullying campaigns online, to break me down emotionally, and ultimately to silence me. 'They paid girls to harass me online. They tried to kill me. And now they may walk free,' she adds. Tebogo was speaking out on the back end of the justice system's consistent failure to protect victims. She pointed out that protection is minimal for victims as corruption lurks in courtrooms, and survivors are expected to move on while their abusers roam free. Read more | Tebogo Thobejane pleas for privacy ahead of attempted murder case bail hearing 'If these people get bail, I fear not only for my life but for others. Because I'm not their only victim. We cannot allow this system to fail again,' she says. Much to her disappointment, Tsakani was granted bail of R20 000. The bail application of Vusimuzi, on the other hand, was postponed after the state presented new information and the defence requested time to prepare. The hitmen duo also remains in custody.
