After months of legal battle and multiple postponements, the high-profile attempted murder case involving controversial figure Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala is finally headed to trial.

Matlala, along with co-accused Musa Kekana, Floyd Mabusela, Tsakani Matlala, and Nthabiseng Nzama, made a brief appearance at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning, where Magistrate Reiner Boshoff transferred their case to the Johannesburg High Court for trial.

Read more: Case against Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala postponed as state works to centralise dockets

The group faces charges related to the 2023 attempted murder of Matlala’s ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, who was ambushed and shot at on the N1 near Sandton in what the state argued was a premeditated hit. The attack left her friend with a spinal cord injury.

Last month, the state requested a postponement to finalise the process of centralising two additional dockets in which Matlala, Kekana, and Mabusela are implicated. These include attempted murder allegations related to the 2022 shooting of Pretoria taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and the 2024 shooting of popular entertainer Seunkie ‘DJ Vettys’ Mokubung.

The director of public prosecutions had already consented to the centralisation of the Pretoria dockets. However, the dockets were forwarded to the national director of public prosecutions for further consideration.

Also read: Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s bail application denied

“We did receive the approval for the centralisation of the Pretoria dockets of Sibanyoni and others,” said Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.

She confirmed that the dockets will now be centralised as the matter heads to trial. Mjonondwane added that the charges in the dockets include conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

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WATCH: The attempted murder case against Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and four co-accused has been transferred to the Johannesburg High Court, following a brief appearance at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court this morning. #Alex #vusimuzimatlala

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The state’s centralisation aims to streamline proceedings and present a unified case against the accused. “All these matters will form one trial, which will be heard before the Johannesburg High Court. Their first appearance will be on January 29, 2026.”

Matlala and the two alleged hitmen, Kekana and Mabusela, will remain in custody until the commencement of the trial next year. However, Matlala’s wife, Tsakani Matlala, and Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama, are currently out on bail.

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