Cat Matlala trial begins with State alleging he bankrolled three attempted assassinations

‘Cat’ Matlala’s trial schedule confirmed as businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and four co-accused officially appeared before the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg to face multiple criminal charges linked to three alleged attempted assassinations. The State has outlined what it describes as a strong case supported by financial records, forensic evidence, cellphone data and witness testimony.

The trial, which has attracted national attention, is expected to run in two phases after Judge Cassim Moosa confirmed the court timetable. Prosecutors allege that Matlala financed the attempted killings through payments made from company bank accounts to individuals accused of carrying out the attacks.

Cat Matlala trial enters critical phase

The Cat Matlala trial officially began in the Gauteng Division of the High Court, where Vusimuzi Matlala, his wife Tsakani Matlala, Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela and Zandile Nthabiseng Nzama are facing 25 criminal charges.

The charges include:

Conspiracy to commit murder
Attempted murder
Money laundering
Fraud
Defeating or attempting to defeat the administration of justice
Unlawful possession of prohibited firearms
Unlawful possession of ammunition

Following administrative proceedings and the recording of pleas, the court adjourned until Tuesday, when the State is expected to begin presenting evidence through its first witness.

Judge Cassim Moosa directed that the matter proceed uninterrupted from 20 July until 7 August 2026, before resuming from 31 August to 18 September 2026 after a short adjournment.

The judge also reminded each accused that convictions on attempted murder charges could result in life imprisonment, while firearm-related offences carry prescribed minimum prison sentences.

Vusimuzi Matlala accused of funding attempted assassinations

According to prosecutors, Vusimuzi Matlala allegedly financed three separate attempted murders by transferring money through company bank accounts before and after the attacks.

The State argues that the payments formed part of an organised plan to coordinate and reward those involved in carrying out the shootings.

Investigators will rely on:

Bank statements
Electronic payment records
Cellphone communication
Digital evidence
Ballistic reports
Witness testimony

Prosecutors believe the combined evidence will demonstrate planning, surveillance, execution and payment linked to each alleged attack.

Tebogo Thobejane shooting forms major part of prosecution

One of the most significant allegations relates to the Tebogo Thobejane shooting, which took place in Bryanston on 17 October 2023.

According to the charge sheet, prosecutors allege Matlala transferred R20,000 from one of his business accounts days before the shooting.

The State claims that R15,000 was almost immediately transferred to one of the alleged gunmen and describes the payment as partial compensation for the planned attack.

A further R100,000 was allegedly transferred the following day, with prosecutors claiming that R50,000 reached another accused after the shooting.

The State argues these financial transactions demonstrate that payments were allegedly made both before and after the attack to facilitate and compensate those involved.

Three attempted assassinations before Gauteng High Court

The case before the Gauteng High Court covers three separate incidents allegedly committed between August 2022 and January 2024.

First attempted murder

The first incident concerns taxi businessman Madoda Johannes Sibanyoni and four other complainants who were allegedly targeted in Centurion on 10 August 2022.

Second attempted murder

The second relates to actress Tebogo Thobejane, Anele Alicia Malinga and Khumbulani Ncube, who survived a shooting in Bryanston during October 2023.

Third attempted murder

The third incident involves Pretoria DJ Austin Seunkie Mokubong, popularly known as DJ Vetty, together with Leonard Buhle Masango and Tswarelo Tshepiso Pitse, who were allegedly targeted in Pretoria West during January 2024.

The prosecution alleges similar financial patterns emerged across the different incidents, with money allegedly flowing through intermediaries before reaching individuals accused of carrying out the attacks.

Financial records and forensic evidence expected

Prosecutors say the financial evidence will be supported by extensive forensic investigations.

The State intends presenting:

Cellphone location data
Communication records
Digital forensic evidence
Ballistic examinations
Firearm analysis
Witness testimony

According to prosecutors, recovered AK-47 rifles and a 9mm pistol have allegedly been linked to some of the shootings through forensic ballistic testing.

Authorities believe the evidence collectively establishes planning and coordination behind the alleged crimes.

Funeral receipt allegation added to charges

Another aspect of the prosecution’s case concerns a R70,000 funeral receipt allegedly obtained after investigators began examining financial transactions.

The State alleges Tsakani Matlala obtained the receipt shortly before her husband’s bail application.

According to prosecutors, the document was allegedly intended to explain that certain payments related to funeral expenses.

However, investigators dispute that explanation and argue the receipt was created to conceal the true purpose of the financial transfers.

These allegations form part of additional fraud and defeating the administration of justice charges.

Police confident in evidence

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe described the trial as a major step toward justice.

She said one of the victims in the Thobejane shooting continues to suffer serious injuries.

According to Mathe, police investigators have assembled extensive evidence linking each accused to the alleged offences.

Police believe these discoveries significantly strengthened the investigation.

NPA says prosecution is trial-ready

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole confirmed that prosecutors are prepared to proceed with the trial.

The State says it will rely on:

Witness evidence
Financial documentation
Cellphone records
Ballistic reports
Digital forensic analysis

Mohlatlole said prosecutors remain committed to presenting all relevant and admissible evidence before the court while ensuring the proceedings remain fair and impartial.

Separate SAPS fraud case still pending

The assassination trial begins shortly after Matlala withdrew from a plea and sentence agreement relating to the R228-million SAPS Medicare24 fraud case.

Under the proposed agreement, Matlala had admitted to fraud, corruption and money laundering connected to the alleged manipulation of a South African Police Service tender.

Following his withdrawal from the agreement, prosecutors will now prepare for a full criminal trial in that matter as well.

What happens next?

With ‘Cat’ Matlala’s trial schedule confirmed, attention now turns to the presentation of the State’s evidence.

Witnesses are expected to begin testifying as prosecutors introduce financial records, forensic reports, digital evidence and cellphone data aimed at linking the five accused to the three alleged attempted assassinations.

The proceedings are expected to continue until early August before resuming at the end of the month, making the case one of South Africa’s most significant criminal trials of 2026.

As the Cat Matlala trial unfolds in the Gauteng High Court, the outcome will depend on whether prosecutors can prove beyond reasonable doubt that Vusimuzi Matlala financed the alleged attacks and whether the extensive financial and forensic evidence supports the charges presented before the court.

Mainstream Media References

Eyewitness News (EWN) – ‘Cat’ Matlala trial: SAPS believes it has ‘broken the back of a syndicate’
https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/07/20/cat-matlala-trial-saps-believes-it-has-broken-the-back-of-a-syndicate
IOL – Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala to stand trial on 25 charges from July 20
https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/2026-06-30-vusimuzi-cat-matlala-to-stand-trial-on-25-charges-from-july-20/
eNCA – Vusimuzi Matlala, co-accused trial date set for 20 July
https://www.enca.com/news/vusimuzi-matlala-co-accused-trial-date-set-20-july
Eyewitness News (EWN) – Trial date for alleged underworld figure ‘Cat’ Matlala set for July
https://www.ewn.co.za/trial-date-for-alleged-underworld-figure-cat-matlala-set-for-july/

Support Independent Journalism with eKayNews! 📰✨

At eKayNews, we are dedicated to bringing you honest, independent, and reliable news. But we can’t do it alone—independent journalism relies on the strength and generosity of its community.

If you value our work, please consider supporting us today! You can help keep us going by choosing a subscription or simply buying us a one-off virtual coffee:

👉 Support us here: ekaynews.co.za/subscribe-form/

You can also support our mission by visiting our main site at www.ekaynews.co.za and following @eKayNews on all social media platforms.

Thank you so much for your incredible generosity and for being part of our journey! 🙏💙

‘Cat’ Matlala’s trial schedule confirmed