By Marcus Moloko
Alleged underworld figure Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala returned to the dock at the Johannesburg High Court this morning, flanked by his four co-accused as they face a staggering 25 charges, which include attempted murder.
The group, which includes Matlala’s wife Tsakane, alleged hitmen Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela, and Mabusela’s daughter Nthabiseng Nzama, faces charges ranging from conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder to money laundering.
At the heart of Thursday’s proceedings is a dispute over the disclosure of evidence.
Matlala’s legal team has long accused the State of withholding crucial material, including an affidavit from the expert who downloaded data from his phone.
Prosecutors, however, insist that any relevant evidence will be handed over, while dismissing other material as irrelevant to the case.
The defence is also expected to press for a separation of trials, arguing that Matlala should not be lumped together with his co-accused.
His lawyers maintain that the State has no case against him and that his continued detention is unjustified.
Nzama has previously sought to have charges against her withdrawn, but prosecutors alleged that funds from Matlala’s bank account flowed into hers, money they claim was used to pay alleged gunmen.
The charges stem from three botched assassination attempts between 2022 and 2024, including the October 2023 ambush of actress Tebogo Thobejane on the N1 near Sandton, which left her wounded and a companion paralysed.
Other alleged targets included taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and music producer DJ Vettys.
Beyond the attempted hits, the State alleges that Matlala laundered more than R120,000 through fraudulent funeral-parlour invoices to bankroll the plots.
While all five accused maintain their innocence, their appearance is expected to reveal whether the defence is satisfied with the State’s disclosures or whether the battle over evidence will intensify ahead of their trial, set to begin in July.
