Matlala eyes third bail attempt amid High Court proceedings

The Johannesburg High Court has heard that tender tycoon Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala may be bringing a new application for bail.

Matlala returned to the High Court on Friday, together with his wife, Tsakane, and three others. They face 25 charges related to three botched hits between August 2022 and January 2024.

They were initially arrested for an attempted hit on Matlala's ex-girlfriend, socialite Tebogo Thobejane, but were later also charged for two other hits.

Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala was advised by the Johannesburg High Court that he should bring an application before the urgent court for a transfer from the super-maximum security prison, Ebongweni. This was after he complained about the conditions, saying he cannot prepare for his trial at the facility.

However, on Friday his lawyers addressed the court on a potential bail application based on new facts. This would be Matlala's third attempt at a release on bail after he was denied bail in the Magistrate's Court last year, and his appeal also failed in the High Court.

The matter has been postponed to next week.