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…

North West businessman Brown Mogotsi delivered a series of startling claims when he testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria on Tuesday. Mogotsi told the commission that he has long operated as an agent for the country’s Crime Intelligence and that he was first recruited in 1991. He said his work as an intelligence operative for the South African Police Service relied on the use of active informants to gather information and support investigations. During his testimony, Mogotsi…

The Johannesburg High Court has denied bail to alleged crime boss and businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is facing 11 counts of attempted murder and other serious criminal charges. The ruling was handed down on Monday, 27 October 2025, in Pretoria, after Matlala lodged an appeal against an earlier decision by the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, which had also refused him bail. Matlala, who is alleged to be a member of the so-called “Big 5 Cartel,” remains behind bars following the…

The Madlanga Commission has been forced to adjourn its hearings after suspended head of SAPS Crime Intelligence, Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, fell ill on Wednesday morning. Khumalo, who was expected to continue with explosive testimony that has already rattled the political and policing establishment, was reportedly unwell and left the Commission’s Pretoria precinct just after 9 a.m. The proceedings were scheduled to begin at 9:30, but Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga announced an adjournment until further notice. Commission spokesperson Jeremy…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has laid bare a devastating picture of systemic corruption at Tembisa Hospital, exposing how billions meant for healthcare were siphoned off through fraudulent procurement schemes. On Monday, SIU head Advocate Andy Mothibi released the unit’s interim report, describing the looting as “an egregious betrayal of the nation’s trust.” The report reveals that three major syndicates, supported by hospital insiders and senior officials in the Gauteng Department of Health, orchestrated a plunder exceeding R2 billion. The…

Day three of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry saw KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi deliver another round of shocking testimony, this time focusing on suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s alleged ties to businessman Brown Mogotsi, irregular use of classified police documents, and the role of political figures and businessmen in compromising the country’s intelligence structures. Mkhwanazi opened Friday’s session by revisiting the case of Mokgotsi, whom he directly linked to the suspended minister. “As I wanted to indicate…

Day two of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into political killings and corruption in KwaZulu-Natal delivered explosive testimony that left the chamber stunned. KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, named several high-profile individuals whom he accused of benefitting from illegal privileges, interfering with crime intelligence operations, and fueling a climate of lawlessness within the criminal justice system. At the center of his testimony was alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who, Mkhwanazi claimed, enjoyed extraordinary protection and privileges…

The Alexandra Magistrates’ Court has dismissed the bail application of alleged fraudster and murder conspirator Vusimuzi ‘Kat’ Matlala, ruling that he is a flight risk with the financial means and networks to evade justice. The 42-year-old faces a raft of charges including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, and money laundering. The allegations centre on an October 2023 plot to assassinate his ex-girlfriend, well-known socialite and businesswoman Tebogo Thobejane, in Johannesburg. According to the State, Matlala conspired with two…

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has dismissed widespread social media rumours claiming that missing businessman and farmer Jerry Boshoga has been found dead, warning that such misinformation is false, harmful, and deeply distressing to his family. In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, SAPS confirmed that Boshoga, who was kidnapped in November 2024, remains missing and that the investigation is at a critical and sensitive stage. Authorities urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information that undermines…

One of the alleged crime kingpins recently exposed by Lt. Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as having a tight stranglehold on senior SAPS officials and ANC leaders is embroiled in a citizenship scandal in the neighbouring Kingdom of Eswatini. Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala allegedly holds the citizenship of the kingdom, and it is believed that it was fraudulently obtained. It is not clear why Matlala, who is currently in custody for other cases, needed the citizenship of the impoverished country while he was…