Vusi ‘Cat’ Matlala admits to 2022 taxi boss hit, Court hears

Vusi ‘Cat’ Matlala admits to 2022 taxi boss hit, Court hears

Mapaballo Borotho

• Businessman Vusi Matlala allegedly admitted to being behind a 2022 attempted hit on taxi boss Joe Ferrari Sibanyoni, the state told the court. 
• He is also accused of attempting to murder his ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, and faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering. 
• His bail judgment is set for 17 September at the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court.

The state in the case against controversial businessman Vusi ‘Cat’ Matlala told the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court that Matlala admitted to orchestrating the attempted hit on taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni, also known as “Joe Ferrari,” in 2022. 

Sibanyoni narrowly survived the ambush in Centurion’s Gold Estate when four gunmen opened fire on his vehicle, injuring a young passenger but leaving him unharmed.

Matlala, currently behind bars at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Services since May, appeared before the Alex Magistrates Court on Monday for his bail application. 

He faces multiple charges, including the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, socialite Tebogo Thobejane, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering.

Matlala has maintained his innocence, claiming he is being used as a scapegoat.

During the court proceedings, the state also revealed that Thobejane met with Matlala after her attempted assassination, despite her public denials of recent contact.

Meanwhile, prosecutors corrected earlier claims about his travel documents, confirming that he has indeed submitted his passport. 

The matter has been postponed to Wednesday, 17 September 2025, for a bail judgment.

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