Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and four co-accused briefly appeared in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on October 7 in connection with the 2023 attempted murder of actress Tebogo Thobejane. The matter has been postponed to November 11, to allow the state to finalise the centralisation process involving multiple dockets.

Read more: Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s bail application denied

The five face charges related to a botched assassination attempt on the N1 highway near Sandton, which left Thobejane’s friend seriously wounded.

Speaking outside the courtroom, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed that the state requested further postponement, citing their ongoing efforts to consolidate related cases.

“There are two dockets, one from Pretoria and one from Littleton, that we want to centralise together with this matter. So, that process is still ongoing,” she said.

@caxtonjoburgnorth NPA Gauteng spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirms that Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala intends to approach the Johannesburg High Court to appeal the magistrate’s decision to deny him bail in the attempted murder case of actress Tebogo Thobejane. #alex #vusimuzimatlala #BailDenied ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Mjonondwane explained that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Pretoria had consented to the centralisation of the two dockets from Pretoria. She said the DPP forwarded the dockets to the National Director of Public Prosecutions for further consideration.

Also read: Midrand murder accused bail hearing postponed

“We are hoping that by November 11, all processes will be finalised so that we can move to the next stage, which is that of transferring this matter to the High Court for trial,” she noted.

Matlala and two alleged hitmen, Musa Kekana and Floyd Tiego Mabusela, remain in custody. But Matlala’s wife, Tsakani Matlala, and Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama, are currently out on bail.

While Kekana and Mabusela have opted not to apply for bail, Matlala’s earlier attempt to be released on bail was denied by Magistrate Syta Prinsloo, who ruled that he failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances that would outweigh the risk his release poses to the community.

The NPA has confirmed that Matlala now intends to appeal the magistrates’ court’s decision at the Johannesburg High Court.

“As the state, we can indicate that we are in the process of preparing ourselves to oppose his application. We believe that this court was not misdirected, whether in law or factually,” Mjonondwane said. “We will be opposing his application.”

All five accused are expected back in court on November 11 for the centralisation hearing.

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