Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala And Wife To Appear In High Court On Multiple Attempted Murder Charges

Alleged criminal boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and four co-accused, including his wife Tsakani Matlala, are expected to make their first pretrial appearance in the Johannesburg High Court on Thursday.

Matlala, 49, a businessman, is facing 11 counts of attempted murder, as well as charges of conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering. Prosecutors allege he was behind a series of violent plots targeting several high-profile individuals.

Among those standing trial with him are Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, Tsakani Matlala, and Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama. The matter follows earlier appearances in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, where the case was formally transferred to the High Court in 2025.

High-Profile Attacks at the Centre of the Case

Central to the case is the 2023 shooting of actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane on the N1 highway near Sandton. Thobejane, best known for her role on “Muvhango”, was shot in the foot during the attack.

A female passenger travelling with her suffered a serious spinal injury and was left paralysed. In the aftermath, Thobejane left South Africa, citing fears for her safety.

The State alleges Matlala orchestrated the hit on his former girlfriend and links him to other attempted murders involving prominent figures.

Multiple Dockets Consolidated Against Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala

Prosecutors have consolidated three main cases against Matlala. These include the attempted murder of taxi owner Joe Sibanyoni in 2022, the shooting of Thobejane in 2023, and a failed hit on DJ Seunkie Mokubung, also known as DJ Vettys, in 2024.

The case has since expanded to include two Pretoria-based dockets connected to the August 2022 shooting of Sibanyoni outside Centurion Golf Estate and the January 2024 shooting of Mokubung in Pretoria West.

The State is expected to pursue attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges relating to both incidents.

Bail Status, Prison Transfer and Wider Allegations

Nzama faces a charge of money laundering, with the State alleging she knowingly facilitated the transfer of funds linked to criminal activity between bank accounts. Tsakani Matlala and Nzama are currently out on bail of R20,000 and R10,000 respectively.

Kekana, Mabusela and Matlala remain behind bars. Kekana and Mabusela abandoned their bail applications, while Matlala was denied bail in October.

In December 2025, Matlala was moved to the super-maximum security eBongweni Correctional Centre in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal. Authorities said the transfer formed part of heightened security measures for high-risk inmates, although further details were not disclosed.

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Matlala’s name has previously surfaced before the Madlanga Commission and Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing corruption and interference within the South African Police Service.

Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo has identified him as a member of the so-called “Big Five” cartel, allegedly linked to narcotics trafficking, extortion and contract killings tied to drug operations.

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