D-Day for Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala as bail ruling looms

Controversial businessman and murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is expected to hear the outcome of his bail application in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Matlala is accused of orchestrating a 2023 hit on his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane. He has been charged alongside his wife, Tsakane, and three others, facing charges ranging from attempted murder to money laundering.

The bail application has drawn national attention, particularly as it coincides with KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s testimony before the police commission of inquiry.

In a recent media briefing, Mkhwanazi revealed that Matlala was awarded a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) contract in 2024 and allegedly funded political activities linked to suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu.

The contract was later cancelled.

Matlala, 49, has become a figure of increasing public interest following these allegations. 

The state is opposing his bail, citing him as a flight risk due to his ownership of a private jet, foreign assets in Mauritius, and use of a fraudulent Eswatini identity.

During last week’s proceedings, the state raised several discrepancies in Matlala’s affidavit. These included suspicious cross-border movements and destruction of key digital evidence.

The state highlighted a Section 212 affidavit from Home Affairs, which showed that Matlala had crossed the Oshoek border on foot three times:

- February 11, 2024: Departed South Africa

- February 12, 2024: Returned to South Africa

- April 19, 2024: Departed again, with no record of return

The state questioned the logic of Matlala making brief overnight trips to Eswatini twice in two months and argued that it indicated evasive behaviour.

Despite relying on claims that Home Affairs systems were “unreliable,” Matlala did not submit a passport to support his version of events. The state said this lack of evidence undermined his credibility.

A critical point for the state was the alleged use of a false Eswatini ID under the surname “Dlamini”. 

In a WhatsApp message dated March 18, 2025, at 5.48pm, Matlala asked his wife to resend the Eswatini identity card, claiming he had deleted it. 

She complied, forwarding a photo of the false document.

The same number Matlala used to send the message was saved as “Hubby” in his wife’s contacts and appeared in WhatsApp chats with his former lawyer, where the contact name was saved as “Dlamini”.

In another WhatsApp message from December 22, 2024, Matlala asked his lawyer, “Can I come out of hiding?” and later added, “Please advise, can I go home to Eswatini, as I am still in hiding?”

The state said these messages prove he knowingly used the fake identity and tried to evade law enforcement.

On December 6, 2024, police conducted an intelligence-driven search at Matlala’s home under Section 22 of the Criminal Procedure Act, following information that a kidnapping victim was being held on the property.

Five firearms and five mobile phones (three iPhones and two Nokias) were seized. According to police, Apple Watches, iPads, or MacBooks were not among the items taken, despite earlier claims.

The devices were returned on December 12, 2024. Although Matlala’s brother-in-law signed for them, Matlala later claimed he had destroyed both his and his wife’s phones.

However, when he was arrested on May 14, 2025, police seized two newly acquired phones, which contained extensive WhatsApp data. 

The state said the data included 289 pages of messages from his wife’s phone, starting on December 11, 2024 and 386 pages from Matlala’s phone, also beginning on December 11.

These messages showed matching content and timestamps, including the March 2025 request for the Eswatini ID.

The state argued it would be implausible for police to have fabricated such consistent digital evidence on both devices.

Separately, a Designated Firearms Officer, Warrant Officer Barath, inspected Matlala’s security company, CAT Protection Security Services, on December 10, 2024.

After initial contact with a representative, the actual inspection occurred on December 19. 

Authorities found Matlala in possession of a duplicate key to the gun safe - a contravention of the Firearms Control Act.

All firearms were seized until ballistic clearances and compliance were confirmed, after which they were returned.

Matlala through his counsel, Advocate Laurence Hodes SC, denied all allegations.

“As stated in my founding affidavit, I have no knowledge of this photo and Eswatini identity card,” he told the court.

He accused police of tampering 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 raised concerns about the timing of the devices’ return, claiming that his attorney had been requesting them as early as June 30, 2025 and again on September 4, 2025. 

He said the late return left his forensic expert with inadequate time to prepare a proper report.

The state contended that Matlala went into hiding after initial police investigations and only resurfaced once an arrest warrant was imminent.

In WhatsApp chats recovered from his phone, Matlala, using the alias “Dlamini,” messaged his lawyer: “Good morning. Please let me know if the police agree on the proposed date you suggested and, if they agree, can I go back home? I’m still in hiding even now.”

The lawyer responded, “Yes, that must follow that you go home, sir.”

The state argued this further supported its claim that Matlala took deliberate steps to mislead the court and evade arrest.

Magistrate Dyta Prinsloo postponed the matter to Wednesday, September 17, 2025, for judgment on Matlala’s bail application.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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