Court refuses bail for Matlala in alleged hit on actress ex-girlfriend Tebogo Thobejane
The Alexandra Magistrate's Court has refused bail to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a businessman facing murder charges, citing concerns over flight risk and public safety.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
Controversial businessman and murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala will remain in custody after the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court denied his bail application on Wednesday.
Matlala is accused of orchestrating a 2023 hit on his ex-girlfriend, actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane.
He is charged alongside his wife, Tsakane, and three others, facing charges including attempted murder and money laundering.
The high-profile bail application has drawn national attention, coinciding with KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s testimony before the police commission of inquiry.
In a media briefing in July, Mkhwanazi revealed that Matlala was awarded a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) contract in 2024.
He also alleged that Matlala had funded political activities linked to suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu. The contract was later cancelled.
The 49-year-old businessman has become a figure of growing public scrutiny amid the corruption and murder allegations.
The state opposed bail, arguing Matlala is a flight risk due to alleged ownership of a private jet, foreign assets in Mauritius, and possession of a fraudulent Eswatini identity document.
The prosecutors said a picture of the Eswatini ID, which bears a different surname, was sent to him by Tsakane, and cellphone records indicate he travelled to the country on at least three occasions.
Records show that the applicant crossed the Oshoek port of entry on three occasions:
- February 11, 2024: Departed South Africa on foot.
-February 12, 2024: Returned to South Africa, also on foot.
- April 19, 2024: Departed again from South Africa on foot. The records revealed that there was no record of return.
Matlala, has previously, through his legal counsel Advocate Laurence Hodes, SC, denied all the allegations.
“As stated in my founding affidavit, I have no knowledge of this photo and Eswatini identity card,” he said in court.
He alleged that the police had tampered with his mobile devices.
“The police have illegally tampered with my phones and planted false information on them in order to falsely incriminate me and frustrate my application for bail.”
Matlala also denied owning a private jet or boat and accused the investigating officer of lying under oath.
His defence team also argued that the evidence on his confiscated devices - allegedly linking him to law enforcement officials and politicians - was planted by the state.
Magistrate Dyta Prinsloo said Matlala failed to prove exceptional circumstances to justify his release and found he may pose a flight risk.
She said Matlala failed to show that exceptional circumstances exist and that the interests of justice permit his release on bail.
The matter has been postponed to October 7.
Matlala remains in custody.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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