Cat Matlala Fights Kokstad Prison Detention As Lawyers Warn Fair Trial At Risk

Tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s continued incarceration at a correctional facility hundreds of kilometres away from Gauteng has brought fresh legal tension, with his defence team arguing that the move is undermining his constitutional right to a fair trial.

Matlala appeared in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Thursday alongside four co-accused during a pre-trial hearing, after the matter was transferred from the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court.

Those standing trial with him include his wife, Tsakani Matlala, alleged hitmen Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela, as well as Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama.

The accused face a raft of serious charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, money laundering and defeating the ends of justice. The allegations stem primarily from the October 2023 shooting of actress Tebogo Thobejane, who came under fire while driving on the N1 near Sandton.

They are also linked to the 2022 attempted murder of taxi operator Joe Sibanyoni and an unsuccessful hit on DJ Vettys — real name Seunkie Mokubung — in 2024.

While Tsakani Matlala and Nzama were granted bail of R20 000 and R10 000 respectively, Kekana and Mabusela abandoned their bail bids. Matlala has remained behind bars since his bail application was denied in October 2025.

State Confirms Docket Disclosure but Defence Flags Gaps

During proceedings, state prosecutor Elize le Roux confirmed that the prosecution had handed over the docket to the defence in August last year and that all related matters had since been consolidated.

However, she explained that both Matlala and his wife had recently changed legal teams, resulting in their current lawyers only receiving the docket the previous week.

Le Roux also told the court that the state had been approached for full downloads of electronic devices seized during the investigation.

“I must say at the outset that that material does not form part of my case docket, but be that as it may, the state is generous and we will give it to them,” she said, revealing that the data amounted to roughly one terabyte.

Matlala’s counsel, Advocate Annelene van den Heever, raised concerns about the quality and completeness of the disclosure, stating that some documents lacked clear origins.

“We are still going to ask for additional disclosure. It’s clear that there’s issues in the docket,” she told the court.

“Our client for various reasons wishes to have a speedy trial in this matter and for that reason, this disclosure and pre-trial needs to happen as quickly as possible.”

She further questioned why extracted electronic evidence had not been incorporated into the docket.

“It’s not what the state intends to use. We are entitled to evidentiary material in possession of the state that can be exculpatory to our client or that can assist in defending his case.”

Why Cat Matlala’s Prison Transfer Is Causing Legal Headaches

Van den Heever also took issue with Matlala’s transfer to eBongweni Correctional Centre in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal, on 21 December 2025, describing the move as severely disruptive to trial preparation.

“That started causing severe issues with consultation,” she said.

Matlala was previously detained at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where he had testified before Parliament’s ad hoc committee. His relocation followed an incident in July 2025 in which he was found in possession of a cellphone while incarcerated.

Le Roux told the court that neither the state nor the investigating officer had requested the transfer, explaining that it was a decision taken by the Department of Correctional Services.

“They feel there are security concerns. I can’t take that further, I obviously don’t have enough information,” she said.

Defence Warns Access Limits Could Derail Fair Trial

According to Van den Heever, the Kokstad placement has made meaningful legal consultations both costly and impractical.

She explained that defence lawyers are required to fly to Durban, drive more than three hours to Kokstad, and then face further delays before being allowed to see their client.

“Then to consult, he sits behind a thick glass where you can barely hear each other with people around you listening to what’s going on,” she said, adding that consultations were allegedly monitored or recorded.

“As a result, your access to your client for trial or pre-trial preparation is reduced to an hour, maybe two.”

She also told the court that a scheduled consultation had once been cancelled without warning.

“Notice was given by the area commissioner that nobody is allowed to see him and the only person that can deal with it is the commissioner himself.”

Attempts to escalate the matter to senior officials, including Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale and Minister Pieter Groenewald, had been unsuccessful, she added.

Van den Heever cautioned that unless the issue is resolved, Matlala’s right to a fair trial could be compromised.

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“If our client is again taken back to Kokstad, we are then sitting in a position where we will be effectively barred from doing proper consultation.”

She further noted that reviewing the 1TB of electronic data would require substantial time.

“We wish the client to be detained at any facility that makes him accessible to the defence.”

The defence requested a postponement to allow engagements with the state over relocating Matlala closer to the Johannesburg court, warning that an urgent application would follow if no agreement is reached.

Judge William Karam postponed the matter to 6 February.

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