Alleged underworld kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused will return to the Johannesburg High Court on June 17 after a pre-trial hearing on Monday focused on outstanding disclosure issues, changes to legal representation and a dispute over the collection of fingerprints linked to a separate criminal investigation.

The matter forms part of the attempted murder case connected to actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane, who survived a brazen shooting attack in Johannesburg in 2023.

Matlala, who has been denied bail and was previously deemed a flight risk by the courts, faces 25 charges, including multiple counts of attempted murder. The charges stem from allegations that he orchestrated the attack on Thobejane and others travelling with her.

His co-accused include his wife, Tsakane Matlala, alleged hitman Musa Kekana, Tiego Mabusela and Thabiseng Nzama.

The state has indicated that it is trial-ready and intends to proceed when the matter goes to trial on July 20.

Monday’s proceedings were expected to centre on an application by the defence to compel prosecutors to disclose additional evidence, including witness statements, CCTV footage from the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), and police vehicle tracking records.

However, the court heard that the prosecution and defence had since exchanged the documentation that had been requested, effectively resolving the immediate dispute over disclosure.

Despite receiving the material, defence lawyers told the court they required additional time to study the documents before the trial begins.

Another significant development emerged when Matlala’s legal representatives informed the court that their client had raised concerns about attempts by investigators to obtain his fingerprints while he was in custody.

According to the defence, Matlala objected because investigators had allegedly failed to explain why the fingerprints were being taken and what purpose they would serve.

The prosecution rejected the objection, arguing that investigators are legally entitled to obtain fingerprints where there are grounds to believe an accused person may be linked to another criminal matter.

State prosecutors told the court that such procedures are routine and form part of broader criminal investigations.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court ruled that Matlala must submit to the fingerprint collection process.

By the conclusion of Monday’s proceedings, arrangements had already been made for investigators to obtain the fingerprints.

The fingerprint issue is not directly linked to the attempted murder case currently before the High Court but relates to another investigation in which authorities believe Matlala may be relevant.

The hearing was also complicated by changes to Matlala’s legal team.

The court was informed that the accused had parted ways with his previous legal representative and would be proceeding with new counsel. The postponement was granted partly to allow the newly appointed lawyers sufficient time to familiarise themselves with the extensive case docket and evidence.

Several outstanding procedural matters would be addressed when the case returns to court on June 17.

Importantly, all parties agreed that the postponement should not affect the scheduled start of the main trial on July 20.

The prosecution made it clear that it remains ready to proceed and that the trial date remains unchanged.

The case has attracted significant public attention due to Matlala’s alleged links to organised crime networks and the high-profile nature of the attack on Thobejane.

Investigators allege that the shooting was not a random act of violence but a carefully planned hit, claims that the accused have consistently denied.

The matter also unfolds against the backdrop of growing scrutiny of organised crime in Gauteng, where law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to dismantle criminal syndicates involved in extortion, contract killings and other serious offences.

Should the trial proceed as scheduled next month, prosecutors are expected to call several witnesses and present documentary, digital and forensic evidence gathered during a lengthy investigation.

For now, attention will turn to Wednesday’s hearing, where the court is expected to deal with the remaining pre-trial issues before clearing the way for what is likely to be one of the most closely watched criminal trials of the year.

Matlala and his co-accused remain in custody pending the continuation of proceedings.