Businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala denied bail

Zuko Komisa

The Alexandra Magistrates Court has dismissed Matlala’s application to be released on bail.
The court found that the applicant failed to show that exceptional circumstances exists and that the interests of justice permit his release on bail. Matlala will now remains in custody.
The matter has been remanded to 07 October 2025 for further proceedings at the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court.

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has been denied bail by Magistrate Syta Prinsloo, who ruled that he failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances that would outweigh the presumption that his release would pose a danger to the public.

During the bail hearing, the court was presented with the state’s case, which links Matlala to a series of serious charges, including the attempted murders of taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni in 2022 and Seunkie “Dj Vettys” Mokunung in 2024.

The prosecutor also argued that Matlala is a flight risk and a danger to public safety. Evidence cited in court included his access to a private jet, a history of international travel, the alleged possession of a fraudulent Eswatini ID on his mobile phone, and an alleged informal re-entry into South Africa.

In her ruling, Magistrate Prinsloo noted that the pattern of allegations across three separate incidents—including the shootings of Thobejane, Sibanyoni, and DJ Vettys—suggests a repeated modus operandi involving targeted violence. She acknowledged that Matlala disputes the allegations but concluded that the court was not convinced by his defence, given the weight of the state’s evidence.

Matlala is scheduled to return to court on 7 October.