Cat Matlala abandons bail bid as multiple criminal cases continue to pile up

The alleged tenderpreneur has put his bid for freedom on hold in a property fraud case, while his high-profile attempted murder trial and a separate R228 million police tender matter remain before the courts.

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has abandoned his bail application in an alleged property fraud case, marking another development in the growing list of criminal proceedings involving the controversial businessman.

Matlala appeared before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, where his legal team indicated that it would not proceed with the bail application for now. The decision comes as he remains entangled in several high-profile cases, including an attempted murder trial in the Johannesburg High Court and allegations surrounding a multimillion-rand South African Police Service (SAPS) tender.

Matlala’s lawyers want to prioritise a separate case in the South Gauteng High Court before returning to the question of bail. The property fraud matter has been postponed to 29 October for further investigations.

Matlala is accused of using a fraudulent identity document and falsified bank statements to secure a lease for a property in Waterkloof, Pretoria, reportedly costing R95,000 a month. These are allegations that have yet to be proven in court.

His wife, Tsakane Matlala, and two other co-accused have already been granted bail of R20,000 each.

The latest development does not amount to a conviction or a finding of guilt. It means that Matlala’s bail application in this particular case will not proceed at this stage, although his legal team could seek bail again later.

The attempted murder trial involving Tebogo Thobejane

The property fraud proceedings are unfolding against the backdrop of Matlala’s separate and closely watched criminal trial involving allegations of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, money laundering and defeating the ends of justice.

Matlala and four co-accused are facing 25 charges connected to three alleged incidents between 2022 and 2024. The state has linked the case to an alleged 2023 attempt on the life of his former partner, media personality Tebogo Thobejane, as well as alleged plots involving taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni in 2022 and music producer Seunkie Mokubung, popularly known as DJ Vettys, in 2024.

All five accused pleaded not guilty when the trial began in July.

The state alleges that the incidents were part of a wider series of violent schemes. The accused have not been convicted of these charges, and the prosecution must still prove its case.

The proceedings have also involved disputes over evidence relating to the arrest of co-accused Musa Kekana. The defence challenged the admissibility of evidence allegedly obtained after his arrest, with the court conducting a trial-within-a-trial to determine the issue.

In September, the court ruled that Kekana’s bail affidavit was admissible as evidence. The defence had raised allegations of police misconduct during his arrest, which police witnesses disputed.

The main trial was postponed in September, with proceedings scheduled to resume on 2 November. The court cited the volume of medical evidence, witness availability and scheduling challenges among the factors affecting the case.

The R228 million SAPS tender investigation

Another major case concerns a contract valued at approximately R228 million awarded to Medicare 24 Tshwane District, a company owned by Matlala, for services linked to the Tshwane District.

The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed that Matlala and his companies are implicated in corruption proceedings relating to the alleged irregular awarding of the contract.

The case has a separate legal track from the attempted murder proceedings. It forms part of the wider scrutiny of Matlala’s business dealings and his relationship with state institutions.

The allegations are particularly significant given the broader public debate about corruption, procurement and accountability within the police service. However, the existence of charges does not establish that the accused committed the alleged offences.

Matlala had previously been expected to enter into a plea and sentence agreement with the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, but the NPA said he subsequently decided against it. The matter was then set to proceed with the other accused in the main case.