Controversial businessman Cat Matlala will remain behind bars this festive season. He is facing 11 counts of attempted murder, with his high court trial set for 29 January 2026.
Cat Matlala, aged 49, appeared alongside four co-accused in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on 11 November 2025. Magistrate Reiner Boshoff confirmed that the matter is now centralised and ready for trial in the Johannesburg High Court.
The charges stem from multiple alleged murder attempts between 2022 and 2024, involving prominent South African figures.
“All these matters will form one trial, which will be heard before the Johannesburg High Court,”
— Phindi Mjonondwane, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
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What Is Cat Matlala Accused Of?
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) laid out an extensive list of charges against Matlala and his co-accused:
Charges include:
- 11 counts of attempted murder
- 3 counts of conspiracy to commit murder
- 3 counts of possession of prohibited firearms
- Money laundering and fraud under the Organised Crime Act
“The charges are serious and span multiple dockets,”
— Phindi Mjonondwane, NPA spokesperson
Victims Include a Socialite, Taxi Boss and a DJ
Matlala allegedly orchestrated multiple hits over the past three years.
Alleged targets include:
- Tebogo Thobejane: Actress and ex-girlfriend, targeted in a botched highway hit in 2023
- Joe Sibanyoni: Pretoria taxi boss, shot at in August 2022
- DJ Vettys (Seunkie Mokubung): Entertainer targeted in a 2024 shooting
Thobejane survived, but her friend was left paralysed following the N1 shooting near Sandton.
Who Are the Co-Accused?
Matlala’s alleged accomplices include family members and known associates:
- Musa Kekana – Alleged hitman (in custody)
- Floyd Mabusela – Alleged hitman (in custody)
- Tsakane Matlala – Cat’s wife (out on bail)
- Nthabiseng Nzama – Mabusela’s daughter (out on bail)
The court denied bail to Matlala and the two alleged hitmen due to flight risk and threat to witnesses.
State Consolidates Charges Across Provinces
The NPA successfully centralised charges from Gauteng and Pretoria, streamlining prosecution.
This decision allows the High Court to handle the charges as a single, unified trial. The move helps avoid fragmented proceedings across different courts.
The dockets were approved by both the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).
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Legal Strategy: Organised Crime Charges Central to Trial
The use of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) signals a shift in the state’s legal strategy. Instead of treating each attempted hit as isolated, the state is presenting the actions as part of a criminal enterprise.
This allows prosecutors to:
- Show a pattern of premeditated violence
- Highlight connections to money laundering and firearms trafficking
- Treat the accused as a syndicate
Public Reaction and Broader Implications
The case has attracted national attention due to the high-profile victims, the celebrity status of some involved, and the depth of alleged criminal activity.
Local legal experts say the case may set a precedent for how contract killings and criminal networks are prosecuted in South Africa.
“It’s not just about one man — it’s about dismantling a system of violence-for-hire,”
— Criminal justice analyst.
Key Dates to Note
- Next Court Date: 29 January 2026
- Court: Johannesburg High Court
- Status: Matlala and co-accused remain in custody (except for two on bail)
FAQs
Why is Cat Matlala in jail?
He is accused of masterminding multiple attempted murders and is awaiting trial.
Will the trial be public?
Yes, the High Court proceedings will be open to media and the public.
Is Cat Matlala linked to organised crime?
The state argues that the charges fall under the Organised Crime Act, indicating structured criminal activity.
Cat Matlala’s trial is set to be one of the most closely watched legal events in 2026. With 11 attempted murder charges, it reflects South Africa’s ongoing battle with organised crime and targeted violence.
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The centralisation of dockets and the high-level NPA involvement signal a determined push for accountability. As the country watches, this case may reshape how multi-province criminal cases are prosecuted.
