Famous television actress and influencer Tebogo Thobejane has demanded that Gauteng tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his wife, Tsakani Matlala, remain behind bars and not be released when they apply for bail next week Tuesday.
Thobejane released a public statement on Friday after Matlala and Tsakani appeared at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court alongside two other accused in a case involving an alleged hit on Thobejane’s life.
“I never thought I would have to live in fear after surviving an attempt on my life. But here I am, shaking because the very people who plotted to kill me may be granted bail on Tuesday.
Bullying, then shooting incident
“A husband and wife, both involved in a conspiracy to have me murdered, are among the accused. This woman – someone I once knew – used her power and her money to orchestrate bullying campaigns online, to break me down emotionally, and ultimately silence me,” said Thobejane.
“They paid girls to harass me online. They tried to kill me. And now they may walk free. I am speaking out because the justice system in South Africa has consistently failed victims. Protection is minimal. Corruption lurks in courtrooms. And survivors are expected to “move on” while our abusers roam free.
“If these people get bail, I fear not only for my life but for others. Because I am not their only victim. We cannot allow this system to fail again. I am pleading for justice not just for me. I’m pleading for every woman who has been bullied, silenced, and hunted for simply trying to live,” said Thobejane.
Fears for her life
“Please help me raise awareness. Share this. Talk about this. Demand that these individuals remain behind bars. Because if the justice system won’t protect me, the people must.
“With trembling hands but a steady voice, Tebogo Thobejane.
“#JusticeForTebogo #NoBail #GBVmust Fall,” she concluded.
Matlala, 49, Tsakani, Musa Kekana, 35, and Tiego Floyd Mabusela, 47, appeared at the in the same court on Friday in connection with the alleged hit on Thobejane.
Tsakane was arrested by police on Thursday night.
The four accused are facing charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Matlala and Tsakani are also facing charges of fraud and attempt to defeat the ends of justice in connection with the alleged hit on Thobejane.
Case postponed to next week
During court proceedings on Friday, magistrate Renier Boshoff postponed the matter to June 3 for Matlala and Tsakane’s formal bail application.
Boshoff also ordered that Matlala surrender his passport to the investigating officers.
Boshoff added that Kekana and Mabusela’s matter be postponed to July 11. This is for purposes of transferring their case to the Gauteng Division of the High Court.
Kekana and Mabusela never brought a formal bail application.
They are both represented by lawyer Nardus Grove.
All four accused remain in police custody.
Last month, Sunday World exclusively reported that Matlala, who is suspected of being the mastermind behind the gruesome murder of corruption whistleblower Babita Deokaran, was being criminally investigated for organising a hit on Thobejane.
At the time, Sunday World could not name the tycoon. Reason being that he was reportedly under criminal investigation for tender corruption at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).
Graft investigation uncovered plot
Well-placed sources close to Thobejane’s investigation alleged that crime intelligence unit members who were investigating Matlala’s alleged involvement in looting state-owned entity Prasa obtained a search and seizure warrant against him.
They then descended on his houses in Pretoria and Johannesburg and combed them for possible incriminating evidence.
Police found and confiscated Matlala’s cellphone, said the source. They downloaded the contents of the phone and stumbled upon WhatsApp messages between Matlala and the two hitmen who were arrested in connection with the attempt on Thobejane’s life.
It is alleged that in one of the messages, Matlala told the assassins to “shoot her in the face so that her family does not recognise her”.
Ambushed on highway
Thobejane and her friend were ambushed on the N1 highway near Sandton, and their car was sprayed with a hail of bullets in October 2023.
Thobejane, who acted in the Tshivenda soapie Muvhango, was shot in the foot. Her friend was shot in the spinal cord.
Thobejane has recuperated. However, her friend is still languishing in hospital, facing the prospect of never being able to walk again.
It is not known why Matlala allegedly wanted Thobejane dead. But Sunday World understands they had known each other for a while.
