Businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court.
Yolanda Mdzeke/News24
- Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala was denied bail in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday due to being a flight risk and potential witness interference concerns.
- The tender tycoon faces attempted murder and money laundering charges for allegedly trying to assassinate his ex-lover Tebogo Thobejane.
- He has been linked to broader police capture allegations involving senior officials which lead to the establishment of the Madlanga Commission which began on Wednesday.
Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala has been denied bail in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court.
“The applicant has failed to demonstrate he does not pose a flight risk, the nature of offences represents a clear danger to the community, the State’s case cannot be described as weak,” Magistrate Syta Prinsloo said when she refused to grant him bail.
The tender tycoon was arrested in April.
Alongside two alleged hitmen, he faces charges of attempted murder, money laundering and defeating the ends of justice, which are related to a failed hit on Matlala’s former lover, Tebogo Thobejane, in October 2023.
He is a central figure in claims of police capture, which set in motion the Madlanga Commission, which began on Wednesday.
READ | Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala says he’s being framed
Central to the magistrate’s decision was evidence suggesting Matlala had access to an Eswatini identity document under the name Vusi Dlamini.
Home Affairs records revealed Matlala had crossed into Eswatini on foot three times last year, with official records showing “no entry into SA after 19 April” following his last departure.
While Matlala disputed the authenticity of the communications and claimed his passport bore return stamps, Prinsloo noted the “absence of official re-entry raises questions,” a claim Matlala disputes.
He maintained that it was due to known problematic Home Affairs system issues.
“The allegation that [Matlala] has access to an identity document of Eswatini, coupled with irregularities of travel, suggests potential to exit and re-enter the country outside of formal passport control,” Prinsloo said.
READ | Private jet and assets in Mauritius could hinder Vusi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s bail prospects
She coupled these issues with the allegations of Matlala having foreign interests in Mauritius.
Matlala is alleged to own a boat in Mauritius and a private jet.
However, he denied these during the bail hearings, only admitting to opening a trust in the country, investing $100 while “intending to invest in the country.”
Particularly concerning to the court was the discovery of a cellphone in Matlala’s possession while detained at Kgoši Mampuru II Correctional Centre.
Data downloads revealed the phone had been active on the same day KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi held his explosive press briefing about corruption in senior police ranks.
Prinsloo observed:
The discovery of a cellphone while detained underscores the ability to communicate outside lawful channels.
The phone contained a contact saved as “operator” – believed to be a police officer – and showed attempted contact from Brown Mogotsi, who has been implicated in the broader police capture allegations.
With this evidence, Prinsloo found that Matlala would have been able to interfere with witnesses and obstruct the course of justice if he had been released.
The court had previously heard evidence about potential witness intimidation.
Thobejane reportedly received “several calls from individuals whom she described as being closely aligned to the applicant”, threatening her and urging her to withdraw charges.
The magistrate noted:
Out of fear, she has left the country and resides in a country abroad.
The court relied on State evidence of suspicious financial transactions around the time of the Thobejane shooting.
“On the day of the attempted murder, R100 000 was transferred into the account of [co-accused Tiego Mabusela’s] daughter, followed by R50 000 transferred to [Mabusela’s] account.”
Matlala claimed these were legitimate payments for medical and funeral expenses, but the State argued the timing was suspicious and that the invoices were backdated.
Matlala has emerged as a central figure in allegations of police capture that prompted the establishment of the Madlanga Commission, which began on Wednesday.
News24 previously reported his R360 million windfall through police health services tenders and his access to former police ministers Bheki Cele and current minister Senzo Mchunu.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe welcomed the court’s decision and said investigators continue to link firearms seized from the alleged hitmen to additional cases beyond the three attempted murders Matlala faces.
Mathe said:
We’ve got three firearms in police custody. One AK-47 and two pistols… We were linking those firearms to 10 cases but now risen to 18 cases of murder [and] attempted murder. We are now sitting at 18 cases linking these three firearms in police possession.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the NPA welcomed the judgment and was prepared to oppose any potential appeal by Matlala’s legal team.
Matlala is expected to face additional charges in connection with the attempted murders of taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and Seunkie “DJ Vettys” Mokubung.
News24 previously reported that ballistic analysis linked seized firearms to at least 10 high-profile killings, with Matlala emerging as a key figure in Mkhwanazi’s police capture claims.
The case is expected to return to court on 7 October to centralise the multiple matters Matlala faces.
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