The National Prosecuting Authority has announced its readiness to move forward with the trial against businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-defendants.
Matlala, along with Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, and Tsakani Matlala, appeared at the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Johannesburg on Thursday.
The defendants face a total of 25 charges, including 11 counts of attempted murder, related to three distinct shooting incidents said to have occurred between August 2022 and January 2024.
Magaboke Mohlatlole, the NPA Communications Officer for Gauteng, confirmed that the trial is set to begin on 20 July 2026.
Lawyers representing Matlala notified the court of their intention to file an application requiring the State to provide additional details that were previously asked for.
This application is scheduled to be discussed on 15 June 2026.
The fifth accused also expressed plans to present additional representations to the Office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions after earlier submissions were turned down by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
According to Mohlatlole, the prosecution claims the accused arranged a shooting, engaged in money laundering tied to the alleged scheme, and utilized a fraudulent invoice to disguise the origin of the funds and mislead the court.
“Accused one, two, and three remain in custody, while the bail for accused four and five has been extended,” Mohlatlole noted.
The State has affirmed its preparedness to proceed with the trial as planned.
