Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala denied bail

EMBATTLED businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, has been denied bail by Johannesburg High Court in an attempted murder case involving his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU

Matlala, who was named by Crime Intelligence boss Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo at the Madlanga Commission as a member of the so-called "Big Five" cartel, appeared before the High Court last Monday to appeal the denial of his bail after being refused release last month. He is charged with the attempted murder of Thobejane following a shooting incident on the N1 highway near Sandton in 2023. He also faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering.

Matlala was denied bail in September at the Alexandra Magistrates' Court after Magistrate Syta Prinsloo ruled that he had failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances justifying his release and found that he posed a flight risk.

The state opposed bail, pointing to Matlala's alleged access to a private jet, foreign assets in Mauritius, and possession of a fraudulent Eswatini identity document.