As Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala returns to the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court for the continuation of his bail hearing this morning, the state intends to respond to the grave allegations he made against the investigating team.

Matlala, who faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering linked to the 2023 botched assassination attempt on Tebogo Thobejane, accused police of misconduct during searches of his properties.

Read more: Cat pleads not guilty to botched assassination

In an affidavit presented last week by his advocate, Laurence Hodes SC, Matlala claimed that on December 6, 2024, about 30 police officers in over 20 vehicles arrived at his former Pretoria residence without a search and seizure warrant. He alleged they seized his licensed firearm, ammunition, licenses, and his guard’s firearms without legal authorisation.

Matlala further claimed the officers took two iPhone Pros, an Apple iPad, his wife’s iPhone, a Rolex watch, and a Cartier watch. “[On December 12, 2024], the investigating team returned three phones only and left. They denied having confiscated my watches and [the watches] had not been booked into the SAPS 13 store at the Brooklyn Police Station,” Matlala’s affidavit read.

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As Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s bail hearing resumes at the this morning, the state intends to respond to the grave allegations he made against the investigating team. Matlala, who faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering linked to the 2023 botched assassination attempt on Tebogo Thobejane, accused police of misconduct during searches of his properties. #Alexandra #vusimatlala

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Additionally, Matlala alleged that on December 19, 2024, police and task force members visited his office and demanded to search them, and their firearm safe, without a search and seizure warrant. He claimed that they requested the second key to the firearm safe, and confiscated the company firearms needed for contracted security work.

Also read: MK Party pledges sustained pressure in Vusimuzi Matlala criminal case

Matlala argued his arrest was an abuse of process, stating he never evaded authorities or showed unco-operative behaviour. “The police could have easily called me or my attorneys to arrange a surrender.”
The state prosecutor, responding to these claims last week, described Matlala’s allegations as serious, accusing him of attacking the investigating team’s integrity. “He’s trying to paint the investigating team in the worst possible light. He attacks their integrity, accuses them of theft, and that they are inclined to plant evidence on him for whatever reason.”

She admitted that, although she spent hours in consultation with the investigating team, they did not expect Matlala’s allegations as they stand in his bail application. “I know that bail applications are, by nature, urgent, but I will need a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations made in this affidavit.”

Magistrate Syta Prinsloo granted the state’s request for postponement, noting that Matlala will remain in custody until his appearance on September 8.

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