Overview
- The Johannesburg High Court postponed pre-trial proceedings to 6 February to resolve questions over Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s lawful place of detention and related administrative issues.
- Judge William Karam granted the adjournment after the court learned the Department of Correctional Services moved Matlala to eBongweni/Kokstad for security reasons, a transfer prosecutors said they did not request.
- Defence counsel said travel distance, monitored consultations and cancelled visits at Kokstad hinder access to the client and signaled an urgent application if he is not held closer to Johannesburg.
- The state said it disclosed the docket in August 2025 and will provide device downloads totaling about 1TB after Matlala and his wife appointed new counsel, whose team raised further disclosure concerns.
- The consolidated case includes charges of attempted murder, conspiracy, fraud, money laundering and defeating the ends of justice tied to shootings in 2022, 2023 and 2024, with two co-accused on bail and three in custody.