South African actress and businesswoman Tebogo Thobejane has spoken publicly for the first time since watching her former boyfriend, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, dominate social media during his recent appearance before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee. What unsettled her was not only his presence before MPs, but the unexpected wave of admiration for a man currently facing serious criminal charges.
Matlala, who is behind bars at Kgoši Mampuru II Correctional Centre, is awaiting trial on charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering. He denies all charges. Despite the gravity of the allegations, online users appeared more focused on his appearance, style and composure during the televised hearings than the accusations levelled against him.
For Thobejane, who once shared a high-profile relationship with him, this sudden shift in public sentiment has been deeply troubling. Their relationship had already ended under difficult circumstances, marked by what she has previously described as trust issues and concerns for her personal safety. The trauma she experienced reached its peak in October 2023 when she survived a violent ambush that left her shot in the foot while sitting in a car. A friend who was with her was left paralysed.
After the incident, Thobejane felt unsafe in South Africa and ultimately left the country, seeking both physical protection and emotional distance from the environment that triggered her fears. These events remained part of her private recovery — until Matlala reappeared in national conversation.
As his name trended again, this time due to parliamentary testimony and allegations linking him to criminal networks, many social media users fixated instead on how he looked on camera. The reaction stunned Thobejane, who took to Instagram on Tuesday, 2 December, to voice her discomfort and question the motivations behind the sudden warm reception.
“My intuition is loud: something here doesn’t add up. When the whole nation suddenly ‘loves’ someone they once feared, it usually means the narrative is being managed behind the scenes,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories.
Her message suggested that the surge in admiration may not be as organic as it appeared. She implied that what the public was seeing could form part of a broader effort to reshape Matlala’s image at a critical moment.
“Have you ever noticed how blogs suddenly start hyping someone, and how the tone of the whole country shifts overnight? We as a nation get captured so easily. We forget the real crimes, the people who were hurt, and the lives that were lost. We let power rewrite the truth right in front of us.”
Her comments drew attention to the speed at which public opinion can be swayed, especially through social media platforms where influencers, gossip blogs and online communities often drive national discourse.
Thobejane did not discuss the details of her past relationship with Matlala, but her posts made clear that the resurfacing of his public profile had triggered painful memories. For her, the online glorification of someone she associates with a period of deep fear and instability is difficult to watch.
“Many of us have experienced how quickly a narrative can be twisted to protect the right people. And honestly, we’re shocked that we as South Africans don’t see what’s happening. We watch the story being rewritten in real time, and somehow, we accept it,” she wrote.
Her posts were not only a reaction to the admiration directed at Matlala, but also a plea for South Africans to pay closer attention to information that may be influenced by hidden agendas. She pointed out how, historically, public perception has been shaped to benefit those with influence and power, often overshadowing the experiences of victims.
Throughout her message, Thobejane emphasised that no amount of positive publicity, favourable commentary or online fascination can erase the reality of what she lived through.
“It’s easy to laugh and move on, but real crimes happened, and real people suffered. PR can clean an image, but it can’t fix what was destroyed. At the end of the day, prayer is the only thing we have, because God sees everything.”
Her remarks add a new layer to the public conversation surrounding Matlala’s ongoing legal battles. While his court case continues and Parliament investigates alleged links between crime figures and state institutions, the former celebrity couple’s story has become part of the wider narrative about perception, power and the ease with which public opinion can be manipulated.
As more details emerge from the parliamentary inquiry and Matlala’s trial moves forward, Thobejane’s comments highlight the personal toll such cases can have on individuals who feel silenced or overshadowed by public fascination. Her decision to speak out reflects not only unresolved trauma, but also a warning about how easily the truth can be obscured when image-building overtakes accountability.
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