Vusi Cat Matlala appeared again in a Johannesburg court on Friday. He is a suspect in a major 2023 drive-by shooting case. His wife Tsakani Matlala was also in court.
He is charged with plotting an attack on Tebogo Thobejane his ex girlfriend. The case is still ongoing and has been moved to next month.
New Look and Heavy Security During Court Appearance
Matlala looked different this time compared to earlier court visits. He had shaved off his greying beard and wore a formal suit. However, he entered the courtroom wearing leg irons. This shows that the court still sees the case as very serious.
His wife stood next to him, wearing grey and big glasses. The court has let her go on bail. Many police officers were in court to keep things safe.
The case comes from a 2023 Sandton shooting.
This case is based on a shooting from October 2023. Actress Tebogo Thobejane was shot at while driving in Sandton. She was not hurt, but her friend was shot and stayed in hospital for over a month.
Four people, including Matlala and his wife, are charged in the case. All four are facing serious criminal charges, including attempted murder.
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Court Postpones Trial Due to Missing Evidence
During Friday’s hearing, the defence team asked for more time. They said the state had only given them part of the case file. According to the lawyers, they had access to Section A of the police docket but not Sections B and C.
They also complained that the state has not yet provided the bank records or cellphone data being used as key evidence in the case. These records are important, as they may support the charges against Matlala.
The state prosecutor, who cannot be named, told the court that two other cases from Pretoria may also be added to this one. The process to centralise all related charges is still under way.
Magistrate Calls for Proper Communication Between Lawyers
After hearing both sides, the magistrate refused the defence’s request for full access at this time. However, the court asked both teams to communicate clearly and work together to share evidence fairly.
This decision means the case will continue, but only after both sides agree on how the information is shared. The magistrate also warned that delays must not stop the trial from moving forward.
Key Details from the Case
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Main Accused | Vusi “Cat” Matlala |
| Co-Accused | Tsakani Matlala and 2 others |
| Victim | Actress Tebogo Thobejane |
| Incident | Drive-by shooting in Sandton |
| Date of Incident | October 2023 |
| Injured Person | Thobejane’s friend (hospitalised) |
| Court Appearance | July 2025 |
| Next Court Date | August 2025 (exact date not confirmed) |
| Defence Complaint | Missing bank and cellphone records |
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Hi, I’m Amandeep Singh, a content writer at Ramnath Intercollage. I share updates on jobs, internships, and scholarships across South Africa using official and trusted sources. My aim is to make every post easy to read and helpful for anyone looking to apply.
