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Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala appears in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court in Johannesburg.
The Alexandra Magistrates’ Court in Johannesburg has heard that businessman Vusi ‘Cat’ Matlala has a fraudulent identity document from Eswatini.
Matlala appeared in court today for a bail application. The matter has been postponed to Monday next week.
He faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and money laundering.
This follows an attempted hit on his former partner, Tebogo Thobejane, in October 2023 where the car she was travelling in was shot at in Sandton, Johannesburg.
State Prosecutor Elize le Roux argued that Matlala was a flight risk and might evade trial if released on bail.
“A photo of an eSwatini identity card belonging to the applicant was found on WhatsApp chats. A preliminary investigation points to the fact that this identity card may be false. This identity card will enable the applicant to cross the border between South Africa and eSwatini,” says Le Roux.
Meanwhile, Matlala has denied being part of a plot to kill his former partner.
His lawyer Laurance Hodes says following the day of the shooting, Thobejane contacted his client for protection.
“I intend to plead not guilty to all these charges should this matter ever proceed to trial against me. It’s also important to record that this particular victim, whom I dated until 2021 contacted me on several occasions to ask for my help. After the vehicle that she was traveling in was shot at, she reached out to me from the month of October 2023 ostensibly after the shooting. I invite the state to confirm this aspect with the victim and advise them to refrain from contacting me, direct or indirectly since I am now charged in this case.”
VIDEO | The man behind Vusi ‘Cat’ Matlala:
