Case Overview
The trial against alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his associates has been pushed to Wednesday because of further delays in the Johannesburg High Court. The group appeared before the court on Monday, but the hearing did not go ahead as planned.
Who Are the Defendants?
Five People Facing Charges
- Musa Kekana – defendant 1
- Tiego Floyd Mabusela – defendant 2
- Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala – defendant 3
- Tsakani Matlala (Matlala’s wife) – defendant 4
- Nthabiseng Nzama (Mabusela’s daughter) – defendant 5
Nzama was not present in court on Monday.
What They Are Accused Of
Serious Criminal Allegations
The state has levied 25 charges against the five individuals, including:
- 11 counts of attempted murder linked to three separate shootings that allegedly occurred between August 2022 and January 2024
- Accusations that the shootings were staged
- Money‑laundering related to the alleged conspiracy
- Use of a fake invoice to hide the source of funds and mislead the court
- An additional charge against Matlala for an alleged failed assassination attempt on his former girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane
Why the Hearing Was Postponed
Legal and Administrative Delays
Matlala’s legal team said they intend to file a motion demanding that the prosecution provide outstanding information that was previously requested. Because of these legal delays and other procedural matters, Acting Judge William Karam postponed the case to Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
Court Orders and Bail Details
During the brief appearance, the judge made several rulings:
- Granted the defence team permission to withdraw from the matter, with a promise that a new lawyer will receive extra memory sticks from the state to access all defence material.
- Ordered that defendant 2 (Mabusela) receive prompt medical attention for his eyes.
- Confirmed that accused 1, 2 and 3 remain in custody, while accused 4 (Tsakani Matlala) stays on bail, which has been extended until the new court date.
What Comes Next?
Trial Timeline
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng spokesperson, Magaboke Mohlatlole, confirmed on May 8 that the trial is still set to begin on July 20, 2026. The state says it is ready to proceed on that date.
Further Actions by the Defence
Nthabiseng Nzama has indicated she will lodge a complaint with the Office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NPDD) after her earlier submissions were rejected by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Conclusion
The case against Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co‑accused has hit another snag, pushing the hearing to mid‑June. With serious charges ranging from attempted murder to money‑laundering, both the defence and prosecution are preparing for a lengthy trial slated to start in July 2026. Until then, the defendants remain under varying conditions of custody and bail, and the court continues to monitor health and procedural needs.
