Culture Craze
R150 000 for a Life: Explosive Testimony in Tebogo Thobejane Hit Case
A Shocking Twist at the Madlanga Commission
South Africans were stunned this week as new evidence emerged in the ongoing case surrounding actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane’s 2023 shooting. At the Madlanga Commission on 30 October 2025, a key witness, identified only as Witness C, claimed that businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala allegedly paid R150 000 to have his former partner killed.
According to the testimony, the money was paid in two instalments, one before the attempted murder and the other afterwards, and was said to have been routed through the company account of a relative of one of Matlala’s accused associates. The revelation has reignited national outrage and sparked fierce online debate about gender-based violence, corruption, and the price placed on human life.
From Fame to Fear: What Happened to Tebogo Thobejane
Tebogo Thobejane, best known for her role in Muvhango and her popular online presence, became the centre of a real-life crime story in 2023 when her car was sprayed with bullets while travelling on the N1 near Sandton. She was shot in the foot, while her friend suffered a spinal injury.
Following the attack, Matlala and four others were arrested and charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering. Matlala has consistently denied all wrongdoing. During his bail application, he insisted that his name was wrongfully linked to the incident, claiming that Thobejane had even approached him for help after the shooting.
He also said their romantic relationship had ended two years before the attack, in 2021, further distancing himself from any motive.
Public Reaction: Shock, Anger, and Disbelief
The alleged payment of R150 000 for a hit sent shockwaves through South Africa’s social media platforms. Many questioned how easily money and power appear to override morality.
One user wrote, “R150 000? Is that what a person’s life costs now?” While another posted, “If true, this is deeper than love gone wrong; it’s about greed and control.”
Others pointed to the wider culture of impunity, especially in cases involving gender-based violence and high-profile business figures. The discussion quickly expanded beyond the individuals involved, touching on the darker intersections between money, crime, and power.
Witness C tells the Madlanga Commission that Matlala paid R150,000 for a hit on his ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane. #MadlangaCommission pic.twitter.com/jSuBZRnfy6
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) October 30, 2025
Bigger Picture: Corruption, Contracts, and a Culture of Violence
Matlala’s name has often been linked to lucrative government contracts and alleged criminal networks. His companies, according to investigators, have surfaced in multiple state-linked tenders. These connections have drawn attention to the blurred lines between business influence and organised crime.
The Madlanga Commission, which continues to investigate the relationships between powerful private interests and state institutions, sees this case as part of a much larger puzzle. The alleged payment for the attempted hit on Thobejane appears not as an isolated act but as a symptom of the deeper social and moral decay at the crossroads of money, masculinity, and violence.
Beyond the Headlines: The Value of a Life
The question haunting many South Africans is not only whether Matlala is guilty, but also what it means for a society when a woman’s life can reportedly be priced at R150 000.
The country’s struggle with gender-based violence remains one of its most painful realities. From celebrity scandals to township tragedies, the thread is the same: power and entitlement used as weapons.
If the allegations are proven true, this case could become a defining moment, one that forces South Africa to reckon with how easily financial influence can be twisted into violence. For now, the courtroom remains the stage for a drama that feels far too close to home.
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Source: Bona Magazine
Featured Image: Instagram/@tebogocthobejane
