Crime Boss ‘Cat’ Matlala Remains in Custody

Alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala will remain in custody after the Johannesburg High Court denied his bail appeal. The court upheld the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court’s original decision, reinforcing that the accused is a significant flight risk.

Matlala faces serious charges for allegedly orchestrating a planned hit on his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane. The incident occurred on the N1 highway near Sandton in 2023.

Court Cites Flight Risk in Bail Denial

A key factor in the bail denial was the discovery that Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala possesses an Eswatini ID. Evidence presented in court suggested he asked his wife for a photograph of this foreign identification. Further investigations revealed he holds a trust account in Mauritius.

Judge Pieter du Plessis agreed with the lower court’s assessment. He stated he would not dispute the finding that Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala poses a serious risk of fleeing the country to evade trial.

As detailed in the complete version, there are several key factors to consider.

Defense Arguments and Incriminating Evidence

Matlala’s legal representative, Advocate Laurance Hodes, SC, contested the state’s claims. He argued there was no concrete evidence that his client owns assets in Mauritius and that the state misled the court. Hodes emphasized his client’s cooperation, including participation in a 10-hour investigation in December 2024.

However, this argument was undermined by a major security breach. Correctional services found Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala with a mobile phone during a raid at Kgosi Mampuru Prison. This incident demonstrated his ability to bypass security and potentially communicate with outsiders. Prosecutors revealed the phone contained a contact saved as “Operator” and showed attempted calls from Northwest businessman Brown Mogotsi, raising concerns about witness intimidation.

The consistent rulings from both courts underscore the gravity of the situation for Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. With bail denied, he will remain incarcerated as his case proceeds.