{"id":17682,"date":"2025-12-16T14:04:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T12:04:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/?p=17682"},"modified":"2025-12-16T14:04:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T12:04:14","slug":"focalistic-faces-backlash-over-sneak-peek-of-cat-matlala","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/focalistic-faces-backlash-over-sneak-peek-of-cat-matlala\/","title":{"rendered":"Focalistic Faces Backlash Over Sneak Peek of ‘Cat Matlala’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Focalistic, DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy, and Benzoo have come under fire online following the announcement of their new song titled\u201cCat Matlala.\u201d<\/strong> The clip, which Focalistic shared on social media, features the artists dancing to the yet-to-be-released music, sparking a wave of criticism across X.<\/p>\n

The backlash is primarily due to the song’s likely association withVusimuzi \u201cCat\u201d Matlala<\/strong>, a figure embroiled in serious legal troubles. Matlala has faced numerous allegations, includingvehicle hijackings, hospital looting, attempted murder, and possible ties to the death of whistleblower Babita Deokaran.<\/strong> His notoriety weighs heavily, especially in communities impacted by the crimes he is accused of committing.<\/p>\n

A significant number of social media users expressed concerns that the artists were minimizing or even celebrating someone linked to deep trauma and violence.<\/p>\n

Among the critics was user@ISephara<\/strong>, who posted a comprehensive thread directly addressing Focalistic. The message included:<\/p>\n

\u201cMeet Lethabo Lebetsa (Focalistic), a 29-year-old amapiano artist who thinks it\u2019s socially acceptable to make a song praising Cat Matlala.
\nMatlala is involved in vehicle hijackings, but also the looting of Tembisa Hospital\u2026 suspected in the brutal killing of whistleblower Babita Doekaran\u2026 involved in the attempted murder of two women, including his ex-girlfriend.
\nBlack communities suffer the most from actions by people like Cat Matlala\u2026 yet somehow Focalistic and his team decided to write, compose, produce, and release such a song to support and encourage people like Matlala.
\nThey want to make quick money off the tears of broken families. How pathetic.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

This post ignited widespread discussion, with many participants agreeing with the criticism. Another commentator lamented the artist’s lack of education, stating:
\n\u201cImagine a political science UP graduate \u2014 what a waste of political consciousness.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Others highlighted a more systemic problem, declaring,\u201cSouth Africa has an unhealthy relationship with criminality.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, there were defenders of the artists\u2019 intentions. One user argued that the criticism stemmed from a misunderstanding of the reference:<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead of canceling the ruling government for looting, you wanna cancel someone that\u2019s getting his money straight. He is not praising CAT but referencing his action that he\u2019s about to loot the music industry. There\u2019s real-life issues y\u2019all need to address. Leave Foca alone.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the conversation evolves, the involved artists have not yet made any public statements. It remains unclear whether the song will be released in its current form or addressed in any capacity.<\/p>\n

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Meet Lethabo Lebetsa (Focalistic), a 29 year old amapiano artist who thinks it’s socially acceptable to make a song praising Cat Matlala.
\nMatlala is involved in vehicle hijackings, but also the looting of Tembisa hospital. The result of the looting is hospital beds, machines and\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/nPdZwwRvIE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 🇿🇦 iScathulo SePhara 👞 (@ISephara) December 11, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n