The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has declined representations made by Zandile Nthabiseng Nzama, a co-accused in the high-profile attempted murder case involving Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and four others, signalling that the State is ready to proceed to trial.

Nzama briefly appeared in the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg this week, where her legal team confirmed plans to escalate their representations to the Office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) following the rejection by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Gauteng.

The court wrapped up pre-trial proceedings and postponed the matter to 7 April 2026. On that date, the defence is expected to bring a possible application to compel the State to provide further particulars. However, prosecutors have made it clear they are trial-ready.

Nzama, listed as accused number five, is facing 25 charges alongside her co-accused. These include 11 counts of attempted murder linked to three separate shooting incidents that allegedly took place between August 2022 and January 2024.

Central to the State’s case are allegations that the group orchestrated a series of targeted attacks, including the attempted assassination of socialite Tebogo Thobejane in October 2023. Businessman Joe Sibanyoni and music producer Seunkie “DJ Vetteys” Mokubung were also reportedly targets in related incidents.

According to the State, Nzama played a key financial role in the alleged criminal scheme. It is alleged that she received R100,000 from Matlala’s business account around the time of the shooting involving Thobejane. Prosecutors claim that a portion of this money was then transferred to the alleged gunman, who is also Nzama’s father and a co-accused in the matter.

The State argues that this transaction constitutes money laundering, alleging that the accused attempted to conceal the origin and purpose of the funds. Investigators further claim that a fraudulent invoice was used as part of a broader effort to disguise the movement of money linked to the alleged hit.

However, Nzama’s defence has pushed back strongly against these claims. Her legal representative told the court that their client was unaware of the purpose of the funds deposited into her account. The defence maintains that Nzama had no knowledge that the money was allegedly linked to criminal activity, including payments to a hitman.

Despite these submissions, the State has refused to withdraw the charges, insisting that there is sufficient evidence to proceed. The prosecution also alleges that the accused were involved not only in planning the attacks but also in coordinating and financing them.

NPA spokesperson in Gauteng, Magaboke Mohlatlole, said the authority remains firm in its approach to tackling violent and organised crime.

“The NPA remains committed to ensuring that those accused of violent crime and complex criminal schemes are held accountable through the criminal justice system,” Mohlatlole said.

The case has drawn significant attention due to the seriousness of the allegations and the profiles of those involved. With multiple attempted murder charges and accusations of organised criminal conduct, the upcoming trial is expected to be closely watched.

All accused remain out on bail as the matter moves closer to trial, where the State will seek to prove what it describes as a coordinated and financially driven plot behind a series of violent attacks.