Amidst spirited picketing by MK Party members outside the Alexander Magistrates Court on Friday morning demanding stern action against Mamelodi businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is accused of attempted murder, the case was postponed to 26 August in the Johannesburg High Court.
Looking somewhat apprehensive, Matlala appeared in the dock alongside his wife Tsakani Matlala who looked unfazed.
Other accused people in Matlala’s case are Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela, who both tried to hide their faces from the glare of media cameras.
Matlala’s hands were handcuffed and his feet were also in leg irons.
The State requested the postponement of the case to allow for the centralisation of two dockets received from Pretoria, in which all the four accused are implicated.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the accused face several charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
“The charges emanate from alleged events that occured in Johannesburg between 12 and 17 October 2023, during which the accused conspired to kill Tebogo Thobejane,” says Mjonondwane.
“The state alleges that the accused opened fire on Thobejane and two other complainants in this matter,” she said.
“It is also alleged that the accused laundered R120 000 linked to the murder plot and submitted a fraudulent invoice in an attempt to conceal the origin of the funds in order to mislead the court,” said Mjonondwane.
She said on Friday the defence brought an application requesting the prosecution to disclose parts of the docket against the accused, but the presiding magistrate dismissed the said application.
“Cat” Matlala and his two male accused remain in custody while his wife Tebogo Matlala is out on bail.
Meanwhile MK Party Provincial Spokesperson Abel Tau, who was picketing with his party members outside the court on Friday, told the media that his party will make sure that justice is done in this matter and that no blunders are committed by the NPA to deliver justice to the victims in this matter.
“We are picketing here outside the court this morning and we will again be there on 26 August when the case resumes in the Johannesburg High Court,” vowed Tau.
He emphasised that as MK Party they stance is unwavering on the following points:
1.They won’t allow the NPA to botch this case like they did with several cases recently.
2.They want to strengthen the courage of the judiciary to stand firm and administer justice without fear or favour irrespective of political connections of the perpetrators in this matter.
3.They are calling for thorough investigations on other cases in which the accused are implicated, including that of whistleblower Babita Deokoran, who was gunned down in August 2021 in Johannesburg after exposing corruption at the Tembisa Hospital.
4.They support Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi wholeheartedly regarding his efforts to expose corruption in the SAPS.