The Johannesburg High Court has dismissed the bail appeal of alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, agreeing with the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court that he poses a significant flight risk and should remain behind bars while awaiting trial.
Judge Pieter du Plessis delivered the ruling on Monday, concurring with the lower court’s earlier decision that Matlala has both the means and motive to evade justice. “The court is unable to differ with the view of the magistrate’s court that the applicant is indeed a flight risk,” said du Plessis in his judgment, adding that releasing him would not serve the interests of justice.
Matlala had taken his fight for freedom to the high court after the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court refused him bail earlier this year. His legal team argued that he had been unfairly labelled a flight risk and that the magistrate’s decision was not supported by sufficient evidence. However, Judge du Plessis found otherwise, ruling that the magistrate had properly applied the law and carefully considered all the facts before reaching the decision.
At the heart of the court’s concern was Matlala’s possession of an Eswatini identity document and his apparent foreign financial interests. During the initial bail hearing, prosecutors revealed that the accused had requested a photo of his Eswatini ID from his wife and that he also maintained a trust account in Mauritius. The court concluded that these factors, combined with his financial resources and alleged criminal connections, gave him both the ability and the incentive to flee the country to avoid prosecution.
The case against Matlala stems from the 2023 murder of his girlfriend, socialite and influencer Tebogo Thobejane, who was gunned down in what prosecutors allege was a hit ordered by Matlala himself. The State contends that he orchestrated the killing with the help of hired hitmen, and that his wife, Tsakani Matlala, played a role in facilitating communication between him and the alleged assassins.
Matlala appeared briefly before the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on 7 October 2025, alongside his co-accused — Tsakani, and two alleged hitmen, Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela. They face charges related to the planning and execution of Thobejane’s killing.
In a surprising twist, Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama, has also been charged in connection with the case. The State alleges that she was aware of the planned hit and may have assisted in some way. All five accused face the same charges, although the details of each individual’s alleged involvement are yet to be fully outlined in court.
Kekana and Mabusela have both abandoned their bail applications, opting to remain in custody as the case proceeds. Meanwhile, Tsakani and Nzama were granted bail, set at R20 000 and R10 000 respectively.
Prosecutors have maintained throughout the proceedings that Matlala’s release would not only jeopardise the case but could also endanger witnesses. They argued that his extensive connections, both within and outside the country, made it likely that he would attempt to flee or interfere with the investigation if released.
Judge du Plessis’s ruling reinforces those concerns, describing Matlala as a man with “the means and potential to evade trial”. The court noted that his financial dealings outside South Africa, including the Mauritius trust, indicated a level of access to international resources that would make it difficult for law enforcement to track him should he decide to abscond.
The decision marks another legal setback for Matlala, who has consistently denied any involvement in Thobejane’s murder. His legal team has not yet indicated whether they plan to appeal the ruling to a higher court.
Thobejane, a well-known Johannesburg socialite and actress, was reportedly in an on-and-off relationship with Matlala before her death. Her killing shocked the entertainment world and drew widespread attention due to the alleged links between the crime and organised criminal networks.
While the trial date has yet to be confirmed, investigators are said to be finalising the evidence against the accused, including digital communication records and witness testimony. The prosecution is expected to present a strong case linking Matlala and his co-accused to the planning and execution of the hit.
For now, Matlala remains behind bars as his case continues to unfold — a development that underscores the judiciary’s growing intolerance for attempts by wealthy or well-connected suspects to evade accountability.
With the court’s latest ruling, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala will remain in custody until the trial begins, alongside co-accused Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela, while Tsakani Matlala and Nthabiseng Nzama await further proceedings from the outside.
The court’s message was clear: given his foreign ties, financial reach, and history of evasive behaviour, Matlala’s freedom would come at too high a cost to justice.
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