Johannesburg High Court denies Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala's bid for bail

The Johannesburg High Court has agreed with the magistrates court that alleged crime boss Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala is a flight risk.

The high court handed down a judgment on Monday, dismissing Matlala’s bail appeal.

Matlala escalated his bid for bail to the high court after the Alexandra Magistrates Court ruled that he was not eligible for bail.

He is accused of ordering a hit on his socialite girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, in 2023.

One of the factors considered by the Alexandra Magistrates Court in denying Matlala bail was his Eswatini ID, which he had asked his wife for a picture of and his foreign financial interests.

It was revealed that he has a trust account in Mauritius.

In his judgment, Judge Pieter du Plessis said that he was unable to differ with the view of the magistrates court that Matlala was a flight risk, specifically where it was stated that he had both the means and the potential to evade trial.

Judge du Plessis has ruled that the interest of justice won't be served by Matlala’s release.