Exactly one hour and three minutes before the death of Tiego Floyd Mabusela’s mother, businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala transferred R100,000 into the bank account of Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama. The timing of the transfer, coupled with other payments and communications, has raised suspicions in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, where the bail hearing for the accused is ongoing.
Prosecutor Elize le Roux told the court that the sequence of payments suggested a connection to the attempted hit on socialite Tebogo Thobejane on 17 October 2023. According to Le Roux, Matlala had transferred R200,000 in total, split between Mabusela’s business account and Nzama’s account, supposedly to assist with funeral arrangements following the death of Mabusela’s mother.
“R50,000 was then transferred from that account into a company where accused 2 [Mabusela] is the sole director. On 18 October, the day after the shooting, a further R100,000 was paid into [Nzama’s] account. On that same day, R50,000 was paid into accused 2’s account. Both transfers carried the reference ‘Medicare 24’,” Le Roux explained.
She described the funeral-cost explanation offered by Matlala as implausible, pointing to the unusual timing of the payments.
“What is important is timing. The mother passed away on 18 October 2023 at 12:36pm. Yet the R100,000 payment had already been made earlier that day at 11:39am. The first payment was also suspicious, having been made on 12 October, six days before her death,” Le Roux said.
Matlala Denies Money Laundering Charges
In his affidavit, Matlala rejected allegations that the payments were linked to the alleged plot to kill Thobejane. He maintained that the money was intended for medical expenses and funeral arrangements.
“I was questioned by the police during my detention at Boksburg East police station. During interrogation I was shown a bank statement belonging to Lwandlelakhe Construction and Projects, ostensibly owned by the daughter of Mabusela [Nzama],” Matlala said.
“The statement reflected two deposits from my company account: R20,000 on 12 October 2023, which I paid to assist with medical expenses for Mabusela’s terminally ill mother, and R100,000 on 18 October 2023 to help with funeral arrangements after she passed away,” he added.
Matlala stressed that the mother had been instrumental in his upbringing and emotional support, which motivated the payments.
“When she passed away I could not resist honouring her with financial contributions towards her funeral arrangements,” he said.
Court Hears Suspicious Transactions
Le Roux argued that Matlala had anticipated his arrest, pointing to his public statements about his relationship with Nzama and the nature of the payments.
“He stated publicly he was in a relationship with accused 2’s sister [Nzama] and the money was paid to cover the cost of her mother’s funeral. However, the evidence suggests otherwise,” Le Roux said.
The prosecution highlighted a transfer made five days before the shooting, on 12 October, when R20,000 was deposited into Nzama’s account.
“On 12 October 2023, five days before the shooting, Mabusela sent a voice recording to [co-accused] Musa Kekana, saying: ‘My man, can we still meet hey … but let me try to call Cat and ask him, maybe we can force to do something that me, you and Malakani can do together so that you are able to buy that car’,” Le Roux said.
Matlala Questions the Allegations
Matlala insisted there was no attempt to disguise the payments, which were easily traced back to his company accounts.
“I cannot comprehend how I could be charged with money laundering where there have been funds exchanged between me and Mabusela with clear indications of their origins and destination. In short, no attempt has been made to disguise these transactions because there was no need to do so,” he said.
He also questioned why the state would link ordinary financial support to criminal intent.
“The funds originated from my clients, paid into my business account, and were then transferred to Mabusela. There is nothing hidden, nothing disguised,” Matlala said.
Charges and Previous Killings
Matlala, his wife Tsakani, Mabusela, and Kekana face three counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering. Nzama is charged with money laundering. Their bail hearing has been postponed to 8 September.
Mabusela and Kekana are additionally charged with the murders of DJ Sumbody and his two bodyguards, Sibusiso Mokoena and Sandile Myeza, in November 2022. Court proceedings revealed that the accused, along with Tankiso “TK” Molefe and Michael Pule Tau, have been linked to several other killings across Gauteng.
Sowetan previously reported that, from March 2022 to April 2024, six men, including DJ Sumbody, were shot dead in their cars on Gauteng roads. Other victims include:
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Hector “DJ Vintos” Buthelezi, shot 27 times outside a nightclub in Soweto in March 2022.
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Don Tindleni, killed on the N1 in March 2023.
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Armand Swart, shot dead in his car in April 2024.
Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe confirmed that guns seized during Swart’s murder investigations were later linked to at least 10 killings, and the same firearms were used in the Thobejane shooting.
Keep Up With the Latest Updates
The case continues to unfold in Alexandra Magistrate’s Court. For readers following the trial:
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Explore related articles: [Read about the Thobejane shooting and other Gauteng killings]
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