3 days ago
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.
