Famous television actress and influencer Tebogo Thobejane says she is living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and feels emotionally broken following the alleged hit on her life.
In a public statement released on Tuesday, Thobejane said she believes “the law will take its course” after the court appearance of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is the alleged mastermind behind the hit on her.
“I kindly ask for privacy and understanding as my family and I continue to heal from a deeply traumatic experience,” said Thobejane.
“We are still carrying the weight of what happened, living with the emotional impact and ongoing effects of PTSD.
“This journey has been hard, but I think it’s best to let the law take its course.”
“For anyone seeking clarity, an official press release from the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] is available and outlines the facts regarding the individuals who have been formally charged.”
Taking it one day at a time
She continued: “One of the hardest parts of this entire experience has been facing the people who were with me that night, the ones who were hurt alongside me.
“I have had to find the strength to express my sorrow to their families and to live with the pain that they were affected because of a situation tied to me. It’s something that stays with me every day.
Despite everything, I remain incredibly grateful to the family for showing me grace and compassion and not placing blame where there is already so much hurt. I will continue to pray for them and support their healing too.”
The thing that saddens Thobejane the most is that, despite inner brokenness, life expects people to go on and move forward.
“I am doing my best, one day at a time, to find peace and rebuild. To those who have stood by me, supported my family, and offered kind words and love, thank you. Your support has helped carry us through some of the darkest moments,” she said.
On Monday, Matlala (49) made his second appearance at the Alexandra magistrate’s court on charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
He appeared in court after being taken into custody by police in Midrand last week Wednesday.
The charges relate to a purported hit on Thobejane, and Matlala is the third accused in the attempted murder case.
The other two accused are Musa Kekana (35) and Tiego Floyd Mabusela (47), who also face charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The court postponed the case against Matlala until May 30 to allow for his formal bail application. He remains in police custody.
In April, 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.
WhatsApp conversation with hitmen
The police then descended on his houses in Pretoria and Johannesburg and combed them for possible incriminating evidence. They confiscated Matlala’s cellphone, according to a source.
The police 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”.
A hail of bullets struck Thobejane and her friend’s car in October 2023 during an attack on the N1 highway near Sandton.
While her friend was shot in the spinal cord, Thobejane, who starred in the Tshivenda soap opera Muvhango, sustained a gunshot wound to the foot.
She has recuperated, but her friend is still languishing in the hospital, facing the prospect of never being able to walk again.
