Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, wife to appear in Johannesburg High Court

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

Matlala, 49, a businessman, faces 11 counts of attempted murder, along with charges of conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering. 

The State allege he orchestrated a hit on his former girlfriend, actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane, and was involved in other attempted murders targeting high-profile figures.

He will stand trial alongside Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, Tsakani Matlala, and Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama.

The charges stem primarily from the 2023 shooting of Thobejane on the N1 highway near Sandton. Thobejane, known for her role in “Muvhango”, was shot in the foot during the attack. 

A female passenger travelling with her sustained a severe spinal injury and was left paralysed. 

Following the incident, Thobejane fled the country, citing fears for her life.

The state has consolidated three cases against Matlala. 

These include the attempted murder of taxi owner Joe Sibanyoni in 2022, the shooting of Thobejane in 2023, and a botched hit on DJ Seunkie Mokubung, also known as DJ Vettys, in 2024.

The matter has been further expanded to include two Pretoria dockets linked 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 charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder in relation to both incidents.

The accused previously appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court in 2025, where the transfer of the case to the High Court was confirmed.

Nzama faces a charge of money laundering, with the state alleging she facilitated the transfer of funds between bank accounts while knowing the money was derived from criminal activity. 

Tsakani Matlala and Nzama are out on bail of R20,000 and R10,000, respectively. 

Kekana, Mabusela and Matlala remain in custody. 

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

In December 2025, Matlala was transferred to the super-maximum security eBongweni Correctional Centre in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal. 

Authorities said the relocation formed part of heightened security measures due to concerns over the management and safety of high-risk inmates. 

Officials have not disclosed further details but confirmed the facility is equipped to house dangerous and high-profile prisoners.

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

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

IOL News