WATCH: Vusimuzi Matlala's high-profile case centralised to Johannesburg High Court amid serious charges

The National Prosecuting Authority efforts to merge the various serious matters it has against controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, and moved under one jurisdiction to the high court proved successful.

Matlala and his co-accused, his wife Tsakani Matlala, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, Musa Kekana, and Nthabiseng Nzima, had their matter transferred to the Johannesburg High Court, after a short session at the Alexandra courthouse on Tuesday. 

They are all due back at the Johannesburg High Court on January 29, 2026.

Attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition are the charges that the State has brought against Matlala and his co-accused.

The matters against Matlala include the alleged botched hit on his former girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, in October 2023, and the two other attempted murder charges linked to Seunkie “DJ Vetteys” Mokubung and businessman Joe Sibanyoni.

Ahead of the start of the proceedings, Victor Nkhwashu, who previously represented Matlala and his wife, withdrew from the case, with a new legal representative for the couple introduced to the court.

Meanwhile, murder accused and alleged drug cartel member, Katiso Molefe, also appeared in a separate matter at the Alexandra Magistrates Court for the centralisation of his case, with the matter postponed to December 3, 2025.

This after Molefe's co-accused, Michale Pule Tau, could not make it to court due to alleged logistical challenges. The State requested that the matter be deferred to finalise the centralisation process.

 Speaking to members of the media outside court, NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, said the State has been successful in centralising Matlala's case to the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.

"We have received the approval for centralisation of the Pretoria dockets for conspiracy to commit murder as well as charges of attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition," she said.

Mjonondwane said the centralisation of different matters to the high court is an important step towards ensuring that the accused appear under one jurisdiction.

On Tau's failure to appear in court, Mjonondwane said they await a report from the Department of Correctional Services on the reasons why this happened.

"We requested a further postponement on this matter and it was postponed to the third of December 2025," she said.

*Additional reporting, Daily News Reporter

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