Cat Matlala’s Bail Delayed as Alleged SAPS Tender Kingpin Remains in Custody

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, the 49-year-old businessman accused of orchestrating a 2023 attack on his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane, will spend at least another week behind bars. Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday postponed his formal bail application to September 2, keeping him in custody at the C-Max unit of Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre, alongside high-risk inmates such as Thabo Bester.

Alleged Violence and a Socialite Target

The case stems from a shocking shooting on the N1 near Sandton, where Thobejane, familiar to Mzansi audiences for her role on Muvhango – was shot in the foot. A female passenger in the car suffered a severe spinal injury. Matlala, along with four co-accused including his wife, Tsakani Matlala, made a brief appearance in shackles under heavy police guard.

Magistrate Dyta Prinsloo confirmed that Matlala’s bail application would only be heard next month. “He will then remain in custody with no bail,” Prinsloo stated. The other two co-accused also had bail denied. The four are scheduled to return to court on October 7, when the State plans to centralise seven dockets from Orlando, Pretoria West, Sandton, and Vereeniging to streamline proceedings.

Money, Tenders, and Alleged Corruption

Beyond the violent allegations, Matlala faces money laundering charges linked to millions of rands, including funds from a R360 million SAPS health services tender. The tender, awarded to a company tied to Matlala, was cancelled in May by Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who noted that the company should never have advanced past the bidding stage.

The NPA has indicated it will oppose Matlala’s bail bid. Spokesperson Pindi Mjonondwana noted that the centralisation of multiple dockets would help the State manage the interconnected charges efficiently before potentially transferring the matter to the Johannesburg High Court.

Co-Accused and Family Fallout

Tsakani Matlala and 23-year-old Nthabiseng Nzama, daughter of another accused, were previously granted bail under strict conditions. Tsakani’s bail, set at R20,000, requires her to surrender her passport, remain in Gauteng, and avoid contact with witnesses or relatives of co-accused.

The court case, which continues to unravel, touches on violence, alleged corruption, and high-stakes business dealings, providing a sobering reminder of how influence, wealth, and crime can intersect in modern South African society. Public reactions online have been a mix of shock and fascination, with many following every update on social media, noting the high-profile nature of the figures involved.

As the matter progresses, eyes remain on September 2, when Matlala’s formal bail application will finally be heard, and the legal chessboard for this high-profile case begins to take shape.

{Source: IOL}

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