Matlala’s lawyers say he wants case against him finalised hastily

Lawyers for alleged crime boss Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala have told the Johannesburg High Court that he wants the case against him to finalised as soon as possible.

Matlala, his wife, Tsakane, and alleged hitmen Tiego Mabusela and Musa Kekana made their first High Court appearance on Thursday for pre-trial proceedings.

Mabusela’s daughter, Ntabiseng Nzama, also joined them as an accused in an attempted murder, fraud and money laundering case.

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They are accused of calling hits on three people between August 2022 and January 2024.

One of the alleged hits was on Matlala’s socialite ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane.

Matlala’s lawyers have expressed his desperation to be moved from the country’s only super-maximum-security prison, Ebongweni, saying it is virtually impossible to consult with him.

His lawyer, Advocate Annelen van den Heever, pleaded with the court to make an order for his transfer.

However, acting judge William Karim has advised Matlala to bring an urgent application with his request.

The matter will return to the High Court next week, where the circumstances around correctional services decision to move Matlala to the security tight Kokstad prison will be established.