Prosecutors opposing Matlala’s bail concede investigators may have misread payment details for alleged hit

Prosecutors opposing bail for alleged crime boss Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala have conceded that investigators may have misinterpreted details around payments that they believe were made for the hit allegedly called by Matlala.

Matlala escalated his quest for freedom to the high court.

He’s appealing a decision by the Alexandra Magistrates Court which denied him bail last month.

Matlala is accused of being the mastermind behind a hit on his socialite girlfriend Tebogo Thobejane in 2023.

One of the allegations made by the State is that Matlala made several payments to his co-accused and alleged hitman, Tiego Mabusela, through his daughter Nthabiseng for the hit on socialite and actress Thobejane.

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But Matlala insists he deposited R100,000 into Mabusela’s account to help with funeral arrangements as his mother had just died.

The State hit back, claiming the payment was made hours before his mother’s passing and could not have been for the funeral.

However, on Monday, Matlala’s lawyer adv Laurence Hodes presented an affidavit from Mabusela’s sister, confirming that when the payment was made her mother had indeed died.

The prosecutor who cannot be name, responded to this revelation.

Matla will remain behind bars for now.

Judgement has been reserved and Judge Piet du Plessis promised to deliver a verdict by Friday or Monday.