By Marcus Moloko
Tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala will appear in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday in a bid to appeal his bail, which was denied last month.
He faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, defeating the ends of justice, and money laundering in relation to a 2023 failed hit on his former lover Tebogo Thobejane.
In September, the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court ruled that he posed a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses if granted bail.
The court heard how Matlala had not shown convincing circumstances that justified his release.
Matlala is expected to argue that the magistrate erred by applying the wrong legal standard by treating his bail application as a Schedule 6 matter under the Criminal Procedures Act, which carries stricter bail conditions.
The controversial business will contend that his case should be assessed under a less severe schedule and allow for more lenient consideration.
The Johannesburg High Court is expected to hear claims that Matlala’s detention may be causing significant harm to his business operations as the director of multiple companies, which collectively pay nearly R2 million in monthly salaries.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has alleged at parliament’s ad hoc committee and the Madlanga Commission that Matlala was among businessmen accused of cultivating ties within law enforcement to shield criminal operations.
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