‘Cat’ Matlala returns to court as murder conspiracy case inches forward

Alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi Matlala, widely known as “Cat”, is back before the Johannesburg High Court as his long-running criminal matter moves to a pre-trial hearing.

The 49-year-old appears alongside four co-accused, among them his wife, Tsakani Matlala.

The group is facing a string of serious charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering.

The charges are linked to an alleged plot targeting Matlala’s former girlfriend, socialite Tebogo Thobejane, as well as other violent incidents said to have taken place between 2022 and 2024.

Proceedings in the matter have been repeatedly delayed, largely due to concerns raised by Matlala’s legal team about his detention.

His lawyers previously argued that his incarceration at the high-security eBongweni Supermax Prison in Kokstad has made it difficult for them to consult with him adequately in preparation for trial.

Matlala continues to challenge his transfer and placement at the facility, a dispute that has contributed to the case’s slow progress through the courts.

With the pre-trial hearing now underway, the State and defence are expected to address outstanding procedural issues as the high-profile case edges closer to trial.