Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala And Co-Accused Return To Johannesburg High Court For Pretrial Hearing In 25-Charge Case

Controversial businessman and murder accused Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala is expected back in the Johannesburg High Court on Thursday, where pretrial proceedings in a complex case involving 25 charges are set to continue.

Matlala appears alongside Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, Zandile Nthabiseng Nzama and his wife, Tsakanj Matlala. The group is facing a raft of allegations, including 11 counts of attempted murder.

According to the state, the charges relate to three separate shooting incidents allegedly carried out between August 2022 and January 2024.

Allegations Of Attempted Murder And Money Laundering In High-Profile Shooting Case

Prosecutors claim the accused orchestrated a shooting, laundered funds linked to the alleged plan and used a fraudulent invoice to disguise the source of the money and mislead the court.

Among the incidents central to the case is an alleged failed assassination attempt on Matlala’s former girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane. The charge sheet also references the shootings of taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and music producer Seunkie “DJ Vetteys” Mokubong.

The matter, which has drawn significant public attention, forms part of a broader indictment that the state says ties the accused to coordinated acts of violence over an extended period.

Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala Prison Transfer To EBongweni Supermax Sparks Legal Access Dispute

The latest pretrial hearing follows a legal bid by Matlala’s defence team to secure improved access to their client after his transfer from Kgosi Mampuru II Maximum Security Prison to eBongweni Supermax Correctional Centre.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole previously confirmed that the court ordered prison authorities to make a consultation room available to allow uninterrupted, face-to-face meetings and the exchange of documents required for trial preparation.

The order applies from 16 to 17 February 2026. The court also authorised the defence to bring a laptop into Kgosi Mampuru II on those dates to assist with consultations.

Earlier this month, Matlala’s lawyer, Advocate Anneline van den Heever, addressed the court on the challenges posed by the relocation.

She said the distance and the volume of documents to be analysed had complicated consultations and were not in the interests of justice.

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“It will take a long time to have a proper consultation with him. At least when it comes to the expert issues, we will sit with him and have direct contact with him,” she told the court.

In recent months, the proceedings have been punctuated by delays and logistical hurdles linked to Matlala’s transfer. Legal representatives for the co-accused have also raised concerns about access to their clients.

During a previous appearance, the case was postponed to enable the defence to engage the Department of Correctional Services regarding a possible transfer back to a Gauteng facility.