Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused will spend the upcoming festive season behind bars, awaiting their trial for attempted murder.
The group, which includes Matlala, Musa Kekana, Floyd Mabusela, Tsakani Matlala, and Nthabiseng Nzama, appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court this week where their case was transferred to the Johannesburg High Court.
Attempted murder
The trial, which will centre on the 2023 attempted murder of Matlala’s ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, is scheduled to begin in late January 2026.
The accused were denied bail and will remain in custody over the holiday season, as the court prepares for the trial ahead.
Matlala, known for his controversial public persona, is facing serious charges related to the premeditated shooting of Thobejane on the N1 near Sandton.
Thobejane’s friend was also severely injured in the attack, which the state claims was part of a hit orchestrated by Matlala.
Alongside the attempted murder charges in the Thobejane case, Matlala, Kekana, and Mabusela are also implicated in other violent crimes, including the 2022 shooting of Pretoria taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and a separate shooting in 2024 involving entertainer Seunkie “DJ Vettys” Mokubung.
The charges in these cases are set to be included in a unified trial.
Stay in custody
Despite the festive season, Matlala and his alleged accomplices will spend Christmas and New Year in jail, as they await their day in court.
While Vusimuzi Matlala’s wife, Tsakani Matlala, and Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama, were granted bail, the remaining accused will stay in custody until the trial commences on 29 January 2026.
The high-profile nature of the case is expected to draw significant attention in the coming months, with many closely watching how the legal proceedings unfold.
