Case against South African Businessman, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, 49, who is under a cloud, accused of a botched attempt on the life of his ex, has engulfed his wife

On Thursday May 29, Tsakani Matlala, was arrested on allegations of helping her husband to orchestrate the murder-for-hire scheme

The intended target allegedly, is Matlala’s ex-girlfriend, actress, socialite and television personality Tebogo Thobejane

Charges are linked to an October 2023 incident, when gunmen opened fire on Thobejane’s vehicle in Sandton, an affluent suburb of Johannesburg

Thobejane escaped without injury, but her travel her companion remains hospitalized with serious injuries

The couple are charged alongside two alleged hitmen, Musa Kekana, 35, and Tiego Floyd Mabusela, 43 after investigations into a separate crime uncovered messages linking suspects to the Thobejane shooting

The suspects all face charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder

South African businessman, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his wife, Tsakani Matlala, [photo], have been charged with orchestrating a ‘hit’ on his ex-mistress in a suburb of Johannesburg, two years ago. The target survived

Businessman, Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, 49, from Gauteng, South Africa has been under scrutiny following allegations of orchestrating a botched hit on Matlala’s ex-girlfriend, 41-year-old actress, socialite and television personality Tebogo Thobejane, which happened two years ago.
On Thursday May 29, the scope of indictments widened after the suspect’s wife, Tsakani Matlala, was arrested in Pretoria for helping him orchestrate the murder-for-hire scheme in 2023.
The developments came to light during a bail hearing at Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Authorities confirmed that Tsakani was arrested on Thursday night, and both she and her husband will remain in detention until their next court appearance scheduled for Tuesday, June 3.

The intended target of the alleged hit is Tebogo Thobejane, [photo], Matlala’s ex-girlfriend, socialite and television personality. She said she has been suffering PTSD from the failed assassination attempt

The failed assassination attempt happened in October 2023 when gunmen opened fire on Thobejane’s vehicle in Sandton, an affluent suburb of Johannesburg. While Thobejane escaped without injury, her companion was seriously wounded and required extended hospitalization.
The Matlalas who have been charged alongside the alleged two-man hit team of Musa Kekana, 35, and Tiego Floyd Mabusela, 43. The suspects face charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder following the alleged hit on Thobejane.
The couple appeared in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court for their formal bail hearing on Friday which however, was postponed following an agreement between both parties due to the unavailability of electricity.

Vusi Matlala [photo], and his wife Tsakani appeared in court on Friday for their formal bail hearing having been charged alongside two co-conspirators, Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder

The hint of the the current development first appeared in April when it was reported that Sources close to the Thobejane’s investigation revealed that Matlala, who is suspected of being the mastermind behind the gruesome murder of public sector corruption whistleblower, Babita Deokaran, was also facing criminal investigations for allegedly, organizing the attempt on the life of actress.
While investigating Matlala’s alleged involvement in looting state-owned Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa [PRASA], anti-corruption agents executing a search warrant against Matlala’s homes in Pretoria and Johannesburg, searched his electronic devices and found WhatsApp messages exchanged between Matlala and two men alleged hired to kill Thobejane.
In one message it is alleged, Matlala instructed the assassins: “shoot her in the face so that her family does not recognize her”.
At the time of the discovery, his alleged preferred killing crew of Kekana and Mabusela were already in custody, being investigated for an unrelated 2024 murder.

Alleged hit team of Tiego Floyd Mabusela [center] and Musa Kekana, [right], are also been facing murder related charges in the failed assassination attempt on Thobejane

Defense lawyer Victor Nkwashu informed the court of Vusi Matlala’s willingness to surrender his travel documents as part of potential bail conditions, while legal representatives for Kekana and Mabusela requested that their clients be transferred to Johannesburg Correctional Facility, citing difficulties with their current detention conditions.
Prosecutors have indicated that the suspected hitmen will be appearing separately in court on July 11. That trial is expected to proceed at the Johannesburg High Court.