Lawyers petition high court over ‘Cat’ Matlala’s transfer to Ebongweni prison

Lawyers for alleged crime boss Vusimuzi Cat Matlala have pleaded with the Johannesburg High Court to intervene in the decision to imprison him at the country’s only super maximum prison. 

Matlala, his wife Tsakane, and three others made their first high court appearance for pre-trial proceedings on Thursday. 

They are facing 25 charges, including 11 attempted murder charges, for the alleged hits of three people.

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

Vusimuzi Cat Matlala has made his first court appearance since he was moved to the country’s only maximum security prison, Ebongweni Correctional Centre in Kokstad. 

During proceedings, the court addressed disclosures made by the state to the defence in preparation for the trial. 

But Matlala’s lawyer, Advocate Anneline van den Heerver addressed the court on his incarceration.

"Then to consult, he sits behind a thick glass where you can barely hear each other with people around you listening to what's going on, and I respectfully submit that it's a well-known fact that they also record whatever conversations and consultations that's going on there."

Acting Judge William Karim has encouraged Matlala’s lawyers to bring an urgent application for him to be accommodated at a closer facility. 

The matter has been postponed to next week to allow prosecutors an opportunity to ascertain the facts around the decision to move Matlala to Ebongweni.