NPA Moves To Consolidate Seven Dockets In Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala Case

Alleged criminal mastermind and businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, 49, appeared briefly in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) moves to consolidate seven dockets from various jurisdictions into a single case. The centralised matter is expected to be transferred to the Johannesburg High Court.

Matlala stands accused alongside Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, Tsakani Matlala (his wife), and Nthabiseng Nzama (Mabusela’s daughter). He faces charges including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering.

The charges stem from the 2023 shooting of actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane on the N1 highway near Sandton. Thobejane, best known for her role in Muvhango, was shot in the foot, while a female passenger in her vehicle sustained a spinal injury that left her paralysed.

Bail Denied Amid Flight Risk Concerns

Matlala was denied bail during his previous appearance in September after Magistrate Syta Prinsloo ruled that he had failed to prove exceptional circumstances justifying his release from detention.

The court agreed with the state’s position that Matlala may pose a flight risk, citing his alleged access to a private jet, foreign assets in Mauritius, and possession of a fraudulent Eswatini identity document.

Prosecutors claim the ID, which carried a different surname, was sent to Matlala by his wife, and cellphone records indicate he travelled to Eswatini on at least three occasions.

Represented by Advocate Laurence Hodes SC, Matlala has denied all allegations, rejecting claims of owning a private jet or boat and accusing the investigating officer of lying under oath.

His legal team further alleges that the data found on his confiscated devices — which allegedly connects him to politicians and law enforcement officials — was planted by the state.

State Seeks to Streamline Prosecution

The NPA’s Gauteng spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwana, confirmed that the state is working to centralise the cases, which currently fall under different jurisdictions.

“You will recall that on this matter there’s a Vereeniging case, as well as two cases from Pretoria,” she said. “Now those cases fall under the jurisdiction of Pretoria, hence we saw the need to apply for centralisation and get approval from the office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).”

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The seven dockets — two from Orlando, two from Pretoria, two from Sandton, and one from Vereeniging — are believed to share common elements. The NPA intends to streamline the prosecution process by handling them together in the High Court.

The matter, presided over by Magistrates Renier Boshoff and Syta Prinsloo, has been postponed until 11 November to allow the state more time to finalise the centralisation process.

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