The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has reserved judgment in the bail appeal of controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who faces serious allegations including money laundering and masterminding contract killings. The court is expected to deliver its decision on Friday, 24 October, following the presentation of arguments from both the State and the defence.
The presiding judge said, “Judgment has been reserved in this matter. I am not going to hand down the judgment today, but promise to do so on Friday, which is my open day for the judgment to be uploaded onto the system.”
Matlala’s Bail Appeal and Defence Arguments
Matlala, who is currently being held at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility, is appealing the Magistrate’s Court’s decision last month to deny him bail. The earlier ruling cited him as both a flight risk and a danger to society.
His legal team argued that his continued detention was severely affecting his health and his ability to manage his businesses. They proposed a R100,000 bail coupled with house arrest, insisting that Matlala had shown willingness to cooperate with authorities.
The defence further dismissed the money laundering allegations, arguing that the State’s evidence was circumstantial. “There is no smoking gun,” his lawyer said. “He is being charged on the basis of communication, with no DNA, no direct link to firearms, and no concrete proof connecting him to the alleged crimes.”
State Opposes Bail, Citing Risk Factors
The State has strongly opposed the bail application, highlighting Matlala’s access to a private jet, foreign assets in Mauritius, and an allegedly fraudulent Eswatini identity document as indicators that he could easily flee the country.
The prosecutor also accused Matlala of attempting to manipulate investigations and flouting correctional rules. “The appellant can bypass protocol, as he had access to cellphone communication while in custody on July 6,” the State said, referencing a raid on Matlala’s prison cell.
The prosecution further argued that Matlala’s version of events lacks credibility, noting his repeated claims that police stole watches from his home and planted evidence on his phone.
Serious Allegations and Evidence Presented
Matlala’s name has been linked to dodgy contracts at Tembisa Hospital and to the alleged failed assassination attempt on his former partner, socialite Tebogo Thobejane, in October 2023 — claims he denies.
The State contends that evidence against him includes money transfers, WhatsApp messages, and a falsified invoice allegedly used to disguise payments to hired hitmen.
“We have seized the invoice book from a funeral parlour where the document appears out of sequence and dated 23 October 2024,” the prosecutor said. “The State contends that this invoice was falsified to conceal the origins of payments linked to contract killings.”
Awaiting Judgment
With both sides having presented their cases, the High Court’s ruling on Friday will determine whether Matlala will remain behind bars or be granted bail under strict conditions.
If denied, Matlala will continue to await trial in custody, where he has already spent over five months. The case remains one of the most closely watched criminal proceedings in Gauteng, given the seriousness of the allegations and the public interest surrounding Matlala’s alleged links to organised crime.
