Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala denied bail in Johannesburg High Court

Zuko Komisa

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala was denied bail by the Johannesburg High Court on serious charges including the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane.
The charges stem from a 2023 N1 highway shooting and also include conspiracy to murder, fraud, and money laundering, with Thobejane reportedly shot in the foot.
Matlala’s wife, two alleged hitmen, and another accomplice face the same charges, though the wife and one other co-accused have been granted bail.

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, was today (Monday) refused bail by the Johannesburg High Court, upholding a previous court decision.

Matlala is facing a series of grave charges, including the attempted murder of his former girlfriend, actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane.

The charges stem from a shooting incident on the N1 highway near Sandton in 2023, during which Ms. Thobejane was reportedly shot in the foot.

In addition to the attempted murder charge, Matlala also faces serious counts of conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, money laundering, and defeating the ends of justice.

Matlala made a brief appearance at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on 7 October 2025 alongside his four co-accused. The group facing the same charges includes his wife, Tsakani Matlala, two alleged contract killers, Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela, and Mr. Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama.

While Matlala’s bid for release was rejected, two of his co-accused, Kekana and Mabusela, have already withdrawn their applications for bail. Tsakani Matlala and Nthabiseng Nzama were previously granted bail, set at R20,000 and R10,000 respectively.