Johannesburg High Court
By Neo Mofokeng – In a significant ruling on Monday, 27 October 2025, the Johannesburg High Court denied bail to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, upholding an earlier decision by the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court. Matlala, who faces a string of serious charges including the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane, was deemed a flight risk and a potential danger to witnesses. This decision keeps him behind bars as the case unfolds, highlighting ongoing concerns about safety and justice in high-profile criminal matters.
Court Upholds Bail Denial Amid Flight Risk Concerns
Matlala’s bail appeal was heard last week at the Johannesburg High Court after his initial denial in September 2025 at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court. Magistrate Syta Prinsloo ruled then that Matlala posed a flight risk, citing his access to resources like private jets and boats, which he later claimed were misrepresented by the state. In his appeal, Matlala argued that these claims were misleading and that he had no intention of fleeing. However, the High Court maintained the lower court’s stance, ensuring he remains in custody at C-Max prison.
This ruling comes after Matlala’s brief appearance on 7 October 2025 at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court alongside his co-accused. The case has drawn widespread attention due to its links to violence, corruption, and alleged organised crime networks.
Charges Stemming from 2023 Shooting Incident
The core of the case revolves around an alleged assassination attempt on Tebogo Thobejane in October 2023. Thobejane, famous for her role in the Tshivenda soap opera Muvhango, was driving on the N1 highway near Sandton with a friend when their car was ambushed and sprayed with bullets. Thobejane was shot in the foot, while her friend suffered a severe spinal cord injury, leaving her paralysed and facing lifelong challenges.
Matlala faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, money laundering, and defeating the ends of justice. Investigators allege he orchestrated the hit, with evidence including WhatsApp messages where he reportedly instructed hitmen to “shoot her in the face so that her family doesn’t recognise her.” Proof of payments to the hitmen was also uncovered during raids on Matlala’s properties in Pretoria and Johannesburg.
The motive remains unclear, but sources suggest it stemmed from their past relationship, which lasted 13 months and ended three years before the incident. Matlala denies any involvement, claiming through his lawyer that he ended the relationship and had no grudge.
Co-Accused and Their Bail Status
Matlala is not facing these charges alone. His wife, Tsakani Matlala, and alleged hitmen Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela are also implicated. Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama, rounds out the group, all facing similar charges.
Kekana and Mabusela have abandoned their bail applications and remain in custody. Tsakani Matlala and Nzama, however, are out on bail of R20 000 and R10 000, respectively. Tsakani was released earlier in the year, while the others’ decisions reflect the court’s view of the risks involved.
Shell casings from the Thobejane shooting reportedly match those from other crime scenes, including the fatal shooting of DJ Sumbody, suggesting possible broader connections.
Tebogo Thobejane’s Trauma and Flight from South Africa
The incident has left Thobejane deeply scarred. In a July 2025 interview, she shared her ongoing emotional struggle, saying, “I don’t know how I’m feeling honestly,” and describing herself as numb and isolated. She feels unsupported by authorities, paying for private security daily because police protocols prevent her from entering witness protection due to the case’s involvement of law enforcement.
In September 2025, Thobejane fled South Africa, informing investigators via WhatsApp that she still fears for her life and will not return. “I’m not safe,” she stated, emphasising the trauma’s impact on her mental health, finances, and family. Her son has suffered depression, and she has faced near-bankruptcy and reputational damage.
Despite this, Thobejane launched the Bothlale Foundation in July 2025 to support gender-based violence (GBV) survivors. Meaning “wisdom” in Setswana, the foundation offers a safe, non-judgmental space for empowerment and assistance. Thobejane draws from her own experiences, aiming to help others in abusive situations without stigma.
She has called for faster justice, writing to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in April 2025 to demand action against the “kingpin,” attributing delays to his wealth and influence. NPA head Shamila Batohi responded by assigning a team to the case.
Links to the Big 5 Cartel and Broader Corruption Allegations
Matlala’s troubles extend beyond the shooting. He is alleged to be a leader in the “Big Five” cartel, a Gauteng-based criminal syndicate linked to drug trafficking, hijackings, tender fraud, extortion, kidnappings, and contract killings. The cartel, named after five key figures, has penetrated political and law enforcement spheres, using bribes and influence to evade justice.
Matlala, a self-made tenderpreneur, secured lucrative government contracts, including a R360 million SAPS health services deal in 2024, later cancelled amid fraud probes. His company, Medicare24, was implicated in the Tembisa Hospital scandal, where whistleblower Babita Deokaran exposed irregularities before her 2021 murder. Matlala is now probed for masterminding Deokaran’s hit, with links to Prasa looting and other assassinations.
The Madlanga Commission, established in September 2025 to investigate criminal capture of the justice system, has exposed Matlala’s ties. Testimonies from Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo and others revealed WhatsApp messages showing Matlala funding ANC events, leaking SAPS secrets, and influencing figures like suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, Hawks head Lesetja Senona, and former Minister Bheki Cele. During a raid, Matlala dropped names of top cops to intimidate officers.
Witnesses described the cartel’s hierarchy, with Matlala alongside hitman Katiso “KT” Molefe and the late taxi boss Jonathan “King Mswazi” Msibi. The syndicate operates nationally, dealing in drugs and rigging tenders, protected by “fixers” who recruit hitmen and tamper with evidence.
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