Matlala case moves to High Court with new lawyer; ‘KT’ Molefe case delayed again

Alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is set to appear at the Johannesburg High Court in January next year — now with a new lawyer by his side.

The controversial businessman, accused of ordering a hit on his former girlfriend Tebogo Thobejane, appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where the State successfully consolidated three separate dockets into a single case. Matlala now faces a total of 11 attempted murder charges.

In a surprise development, Matlala’s long-time attorney Victor Nkwashu abruptly withdrew from the case without explanation. He has since been replaced by Advocate Bronwynne Forbay, who previously represented alleged Gupta associate Iqbal Sharma in the Nulane Investments case, involving nearly R25 million allegedly misappropriated from the Free State government.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, confirmed the docket consolidation and noted that Matlala also faces three counts of conspiracy to commit murder, four of money laundering, and one of fraud. His co-accused, Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela, face 20 and 24 charges, respectively.

Magistrate Reneir Boshoff told the court that among the accused, only Matlala’s wife, Tsakane Matlala, and Nthabiseng Nzama, the daughter of one of the co-accused, remain out on bail.

Matlala, who was denied bail by the Johannesburg High Court last month, is set to make his first High Court appearance on 29 January 2026.

Meanwhile, the case of Katiso “KT” Molefe, the alleged mastermind behind the murder of DJ Sumbody, has once again been postponed to allow for the centralisation of additional dockets. Molefe appeared briefly in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, but the matter was postponed to December 3, after co-accused Michael Pule Tau failed to appear.

NPA spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, said the Department of Correctional Services is responsible for transporting the accused, and the State is awaiting approval from the National Director of Public Prosecutions to finalise the consolidation process.

Molefe, recently granted R400,000 bail, appeared calm and composed in court, wearing a two-piece suit and flanked by bodyguards.

He is accused of ordering the 2022 hit on DJ Sumbody – real name Oupa John Sefoka – who was killed alongside his two bodyguards.

The 61-year-old is also allegedly linked to the murder of DJ Vintos in Soweto, with cellphone records reportedly placing him in contact with his co-accused shortly after the killings.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe