'I don’t own a jet or boat in Mauritius,' says Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala in bail hearing
Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has denied owning offshore assets, including a private jet and a boat in Mauritius, and accused the investigating officer of lying under oath in his ongoing attempted murder case.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
Attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala accused the investigating officer in his case of lying under oath.
The businessman is seeking bail in the attempted murder case of his ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane.
Thobejane, known for her role in the TV series Muvhango, came under fire in a shooting incident on the N1 highway near Sandton in 2023. She was shot in the foot. A second female passenger sustained a severe spinal injury and has since been left paralysed.
In addition to murder, Matlala also faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering.
The matter was heard in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court.
The State, in opposing bail, told the court that Matlala has failed to disclose his financial interests, including offshore investments, a private jet, and a luxury boat reportedly based in Mauritius.
A claim that Matlala has vehemently denied.
"I don’t have any foreign financial assets, including owning a private jet and a boat in Mauritius."
The State argued that Matlala's travel patterns made him a higher risk of fleeing trial.
The State further argued that Matlala initially denied having any financial interests outside South Africa, but later acknowledged a trust account registered in Mauritius.
In an affidavit handed to the court by the investigating officer, it read"
“It is submitted that the applicant only now acknowledges he has an interest in a trust account in Mauritius. I still maintain that he is not making a full and honest disclosure of all relevant information, as is required.”
The State added that there is no record of Matlala declaring these offshore assets in his bail application.
However, Matlala, through his legal counsel, Advocate Laurence Hodes SC, dismissed the claims.
“This bold statement is deliberate and intended to mislead this Honourable Court to believe that I have financial interests outside of South Africa,” Matlala said.
“No registration number, proof of purchase, or proof of ownership is supplied.”
He added, “I deny that I own a boat in Mauritius and am advised that the investigating officer has committed perjury in this regard.”
Further complicating matters, the State alleged Matlala used a false Eswatini identity under the surname “Dlamini” while evading arrest.
Messages found on his phone reportedly show him asking his lawyer on 22 December 2024, “Can I come out of hiding?” and later, “Please advise, can I go home to Eswatini, as I am still in hiding?”
A Home Affairs official verified Matlala’s movements at the border using three data systems.
According to a Section 212 affidavit, Matlala crossed the Oshoek border post three times in 2024.
-11 February: Departed South Africa on foot
-12 February: Returned on foot
-19 April: Departed again on foot; no return was recorded
The State questioned why he would travel to Eswatini for just one night on multiple occasions and cited these trips as further evidence of his lack of transparency.
Matlala denied knowledge of any Eswatini identity document or the photo used in relation to the alias “Dlamini”.
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