Businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala's case moved to higher court

The attempted murder case against controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused has been transferred from the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court to the High Court in Johannesburg for trial.

On Tuesday Matlala, his wife Tsakani Matlala, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, Musa Kekana, and Nthabiseng Nzima appeared briefly before the Alexandra Magistrates Court.  

The matter was transferred to the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg after the State successfully managed to centralise the various cases against the accused under one jurisdiction. Their next appearance is set for January 29, 2026, at the High Court in Johannesburg.

Matlala and his co-accused face 11 counts, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

His cases stem from the alleged botched hit on his former girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, in October 2023, with 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.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za