Burberry and Gucci: Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala's fashion drip sets tongues wagging
Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala traded in his designer wear for a more Burberry subdued look when he appeared before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee probing police corruption.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala traded in his designer wear for a more subdued look as he testified before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee sitting at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre on Wednesday, November 26.
As the alleged criminal mastermind took the hot seat, he was pictured wearing a slim-fit stretch white Burberry shirt, valued at R9,350, paired with beige pants - a noticeable shift from the flashy designer suits and luxury watches that had previously made headlines during his court appearances.
Matlala’s previous courtroom fits were the stuff of social‑media legend. From Dolce & Gabbana tuxedos to R2.5 million Rolex watches, the businessman made every appearance feel less like a bail hearing and more like a VIP event.
This is the shirt that Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala wore to court on Wednesday.
Image: Internet
One memorable look included a crisp tux jacket and pants combo, paired with that iconic sapphire‑studded Rolex, a style that had onlookers whispering more about his wrist than his legal troubles.
Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala wearing one of his memorable outfits in the courtroom.
Image: Picture: X/@MbuyiseniNdlozi
Another standout moment saw him in a deep Dolce & Gabbana maroon suit, polished and precise, proving that even while facing serious charges like attempted murder, conspiracy, and money laundering, Matlala understood the power of optics.
Full‑price suits of similar calibre in the brand’s ready‑to‑wear range - depending on cut, fabric and detailing - tend to retail for several thousand US dollars.
One listing for a similar suit on the international market had a price tag of roughly US $2,969 (R60 000 - R65 000+, depending on exchange rate)
A standout fashion moment saw Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala in a deep maroon suit.
Image: X/@Ntshekzan
But Wednesday’s appearance marked a change in tone. While still in his luxury drip, he chose a more neutral, professional attire that kept the focus on his testimony rather than his wardrobe and watches.
Perhaps a strategic move, signalling seriousness to Parliament and the public. Yet, even in beige and white, Cat still manages to command attention not through bling, but presence.
From R2.5 million watches to understated shirts, Matlala’s fashion evolution in the spotlight tells its own story. The man knows how to dress for every seat he occupies, whether it’s a courtroom or a parliamentary committee.
Celebs and high-profile individuals often treat their first court appearance like a runway. They rock tailored suits, flashy accessories and polished hair, giving the impression they’ve got power, money and confidence.
It’s almost a survival strategy: appear put‑together so the public and maybe even the court sees you as “above board”.
Take Thabo Bester, for example. In earlier court appearances, he turned heads wearing high-end brands like Burberry hoodies and Louis Vuitton sweaters, designer streetwear that cost tens of thousands of rand.
The online headlines wrote themselves: “luxury fashion in court”, “designer vibes behind bars”, “when the accused dresses like a celeb, not a convict.” For many, it sent a message that somehow, despite the charges, this person was still operating on a different level.
With Matlala now doing the same, switching from lavish designer suits and million‑rand watches to a simple white shirt and beige pants, you begin to see the pattern.
Courtroom style for the “big players” often starts flashy, but eventually they tone it down.