The Johannesburg High Court on Thursday postponed the pre-trial hearing of businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his four co-accused to 6 February, as concerns mounted over his continued detention at a correctional facility hundreds of kilometres away from the court where his case will be heard.
Matlala, his wife Tsakane Matlala and three others made their first appearance in the High Court, facing a total of 25 charges, including 11 counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering. The charges stem from a series of alleged violent crimes, most notably a 2023 shooting on the N1 highway near Sandton that left Matlala’s former girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane, injured.
The state alleges that Matlala orchestrated the attack, which forms part of a broader pattern of criminal conduct involving other attempted hits, including incidents linked to a taxi boss and members of the entertainment industry. All the accused deny the charges.
A major issue dominating proceedings was Matlala’s incarceration at the eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Centre in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal, despite his trial being conducted in Johannesburg. His legal team told the court that the distance — estimated at more than 600 kilometres — has severely hampered their ability to consult with him and adequately prepare for trial.
Matlala’s advocate described the situation as a “logistical nightmare”, arguing that eBongweni is not designed to house awaiting-trial detainees and that the conditions and location are inappropriate for someone who needs regular access to legal counsel. The defence asked the court to intervene and order Matlala’s transfer to a facility in Gauteng, such as Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria, or another Johannesburg-area prison.
Acting Judge William Karam agreed that the current arrangement appeared unreasonable. While stopping short of issuing an immediate order, Karam indicated that detaining an awaiting-trial prisoner so far from the trial court raised serious concerns about fairness and the accused’s constitutional right to prepare a defence. He suggested that the defence bring an urgent application to resolve the matter.
The prosecution told the court it had no role in the decision to move Matlala to eBongweni, indicating that the placement fell under the Department of Correctional Services. Prosecutors did not oppose a lawful process to address the issue but said the court would need to consider the appropriate legal mechanism.
Of the five accused, Matlala remains in custody, while his wife and at least one other co-accused are out on bail. The remaining accused are also facing serious charges linked to the alleged attempted murders and financial crimes.
Outside the courtroom, the case has drawn sharp public reaction, with several social media users questioning the legality and logic of holding an awaiting-trial detainee in a super maximum facility far from the seat of trial. Some described the move as an abuse of power, while others argued that correctional authorities were misusing facilities not meant for unsentenced prisoners.
The matter is expected to return to court on 6 February, by which time the defence is likely to have launched an urgent application regarding Matlala’s detention. Until then, the spotlight remains on correctional authorities and whether Matlala will be moved closer to Gauteng to allow his high-profile trial to proceed without further delays.
