Johannesburg – Businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala will remain in custody after the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court rejected his bail application on Wednesday.
Matlala faces charges including conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and money laundering following an alleged attack on his former lover Tebogo Thobejane’s vehicle in Sandton in October 2023. He has denied involvement and intends to plead not guilty. His wife, Tsakani Matlala, was released on R20 000 bail due to health concerns and childcare responsibilities.
During the hearing, Matlala offered to raise R100 000 for bail and told the court he was not a flight risk. He stated he had no history of violent behaviour and argued that, as a traceable businessman and South African citizen, he posed no threat. 
The prosecution contested this, pointing to a fraudulent Eswatini ID bearing a different surname, a trust in Mauritius, and alleged travel to Eswatini. Authorities also cited cellphone records suggesting links to politicians and law enforcement officials. Defence lawyers claimed the evidence had been planted.
Magistrate Syta Prinsloo ruled that Matlala remained a flight risk, noting the serious nature of the charges and the potential danger he could pose to society. The case has been postponed to 7 October.
