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‘Not a flight risk, not violent,’ Matlala tells Alexandra Magistrates’ Court

1y By Staff Bona

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.

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.

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.

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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