Tebogo Thobejane Rejects Witness Protection Amid Concerns of Police Collusion

Sultry television actress and influencer Tebogo Thobejane has firmly rejected the state’s proposal to place her under a witness protection programme, citing serious concerns about her safety. The former Muvhango star expressed apprehension that she might be guarded by police officers allegedly involved with the criminal syndicates linked to her attempted murder and the murders of high-profile figures.

Thobejane’s decision follows a harrowing incident in which she and a friend were shot at in Sandton, Johannesburg, after leaving Signature nightclub in 2023, where they had been socialising with businessman Serge Cabonge. The actress's ex-boyfriend, tender tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, along with his co-accused, Musa Kekana and Tiego Mabusela, have been arrested and charged with her attempted murder and money laundering, among other crimes.

In an interview with Sunday World, Thobejane stated that after the attempt on her life, she provided the police with an affidavit detailing her ordeal and the names of those she suspected were involved, including Matlala and his wife, Tsakani Baloyi. However, her concerns about the safety offered by the witness protection programme led her to outrightly reject it.

“My concerns, which I raised with the police, were about how they could guarantee my safety because the very same people who want to kill me are working with the police. I could be walking right into a trap and get killed,” Thobejane said, underscoring her fears.

In addition to safety concerns, Thobejane highlighted stringent conditions associated with the witness protection programme that she found unacceptable. One major stipulation is that witnesses are prohibited from engaging in social media activities. “You are not allowed to post! I’m an influencer and content creator. I make a living off social media. I have a bond and other bills to pay. How am I supposed to make a living, because my acting career has been destroyed?” she lamented.

Another significant issue for Thobejane is the restriction on witnesses leaving the country. “You are expected to live within the confines of South African borders. I couldn’t take that chance; that is why I left the country,” she explained.

Moreover, she expressed frustration over the state’s financial priorities, particularly regarding the ongoing Madlanga commission of inquiry into policing and the judiciary, which is investigating allegations of police complicity in crime. “They have spent over R140-million on this commission,” Thobejane pointed out. “Yet there is not a single cent spent on the medical bills of the poor woman who sustained injuries to her spinal cord as a result of being shot. She is wheelchair bound. Her parents and I are paying her medical bills because we want her to get her life back, but the state spends so much money on the commission.”

Thobejane also highlighted her efforts to combat gender-based violence through her foundation, lamenting the lack of support from government entities. “I have established a foundation to fight gender-based violence, but I have not received funds from any government entity to support it,” she said, voicing her disappointment over the lack of assistance.

The actress’s bold stance against the witness protection programme raises significant questions about the safety of those involved in high-profile criminal cases and the effectiveness of the police force in protecting victims from potential threats. With allegations of police collusion looming large, the public is left to wonder what the future holds for Thobejane and others seeking justice in a system fraught with corruption.

National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe declined to comment on the matter, leaving many unanswered questions regarding the police's role in Thobejane's case and the broader implications of her allegations. As this situation unfolds, the spotlight remains on the challenges faced by victims navigating a complex and often dangerous landscape in the pursuit of justice.

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