Trial of alleged contract-killing mastermind Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala opens in Johannesburg High Court

The trial of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and four co-accused began in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday, 20 July 2026, bringing to court three linked alleged contract-killing matters that investigators say span incidents between August 2022 and January 2024.

Investigators praised as case reaches trial stage

Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane praised investigators for securing the trials, the police said.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Dimpane commended the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and Gauteng Counter Intelligence Operations (GCI-OPS) for their work in getting the matters before the Gauteng South High Court.

“The commencement of this trial is the result of months of meticulous investigations, intelligence-driven operations and evidence gathering by members who refused to give up until those responsible were brought before the courts,”

Mathe said the investigations began in December 2024 and that detectives and intelligence operatives had linked the accused across all three matters through extensive investigative work.

Charges and alleged targets

Matlala, his wife Tsakani Matlala, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, Musa Kekana and Nthabiseng Nzama face a total of 25 charges arising from three alleged assassination attempts. The charges include attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of illegal firearms and ammunition, and money laundering.

The attempted murder counts relate to alleged plots targeting:

• actress Tebogo Thobejane;
• taxi boss and businessman Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni; and
• music producer Seunkie Mokubung, known as DJ Vetteys.

The State alleges Matlala masterminded the plots, with Mabusela and Kekana accused of being gunmen and Tsakani Matlala alleged to have played a role in the conspiracies. Nzama faces money laundering charges.

Prosecutors further allege Nzama received R100,000 from Matlala’s business account before transferring the money to her father as payment linked to the alleged attempt on Thobejane.

Evidence and police assertions

Police said investigators recovered two firearms allegedly linked to the attempted murders of Sibanyoni and DJ Vetteys, and that forensic and ballistic evidence form part of the State’s case.

“Our investigators have collected overwhelming evidence that exposes the role played by each accused. This evidence will be presented before court and we are confident that the truth will emerge during the trial,”

Dimpane said the start of the trial should send a message to those involved in organised violent crime. In court papers and police statements cited by the police, she warned that SAPS would pursue suspects and use available investigative and intelligence capabilities to dismantle criminal syndicates.

Related charges

Matlala also faces separate fraud and money laundering charges linked to a Tshwane District Health Services tender awarded to his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, police said.

Trial readiness and next steps

After months of delays the matter was declared trial-ready, the police said, and the trial began in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday. The police expressed confidence in the work of the PKTT, GCI-OPS and other investigators and said they hoped the trial would result in lengthy prison sentences for those found guilty.

Key facts

• Trial start date: Monday, 20 July 2026.
• Accused: Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, Tsakani Matlala, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, Musa Kekana, Nthabiseng Nzama.
• Number of charges: 25 across three alleged assassination attempts.
• Investigations began: December 2024.