Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for his bail application, offering to raise R100,000 for his release.
He faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering, following a 2023 shooting targeting his former lover, actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane, on the N1 highway near Sandton.
Thobejane was shot in the foot, and a female passenger sustained a serious spinal injury.
Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, 49, is applying for bail at the Alex Magistrates’ Court, claiming through his lawyer that he is not a flight risk or danger to society.
He is accused of ordering a 2023 hit on his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane.#VusimuziMatlala pic.twitter.com/db5DoCyYe0
— Simon Majadibodu (@MajadiboduSimon) September 2, 2025
Matlala is charged alongside four co-accused, including his wife Tsakani Matlala, Musa Kekana, and Tiegi Floyd Mabusela, whose daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama, is a state witness.
Matlala denied any involvement, claiming he only learned of the incident through social and mainstream media, and intends to plead not guilty.
He also stated that Thobejane had contacted him from October 2023 to June 2024 for help and protection, which he declined due to the ongoing investigation.
Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has told the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court that actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane sought his protection months after a 2023 shooting in which she was the target.
Matlala, 49, who owns CAT Protection Services, made the claim during his bail… pic.twitter.com/4zexcMqhEJ
— South African Daily (@southafricandly) September 2, 2025
Matlala denied conspiring with anyone, including his co-accused, to orchestrate the attack.
“I never met with or conspired with anyone to plan or orchestrate the shooting or killing of the victims listed in the charge sheet – or anyone else, for that matter.”
Through his lawyer, Laurence Hodes SC, Matlala argued that he is not violent, not a flight risk, and is willing to surrender his passport. He insisted that granting him bail is in the interest of justice and said he could pay more than R100,000 if required.
JUST IN: The bail hearing of alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has been postponed to September 8.
This is after Matlala’s laywers presented a new affidavit this morning
The state has requested time to go through the contents presented. KH #KayaNews https://t.co/psohsE90F1 pic.twitter.com/1VxmwzXcro
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) September 2, 2025
The State opposed bail, describing Matlala as dangerous and highlighting his prior convictions, history of arrests, access to a private jet, and alleged contact with witnesses, raising concerns about flight risk and interference.
The court postponed the bail application to 8 September 2025, and Matlala remains in custody until then
First published on African Insider
Words compiled by: Betha Madhomu
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