Businessman and alleged underworld boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala will stand trial alongside his co-accused after his attempt to secure a plea agreement with the State officially collapsed, sending the high-profile attempted murder case back to its starting point.
Matlala appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on Monday. He rejected a 12-year prison sentence and walked away from his plea deal with the state, sending the R228m police tender corruption case back to square one.
Matlala was accused one in the matter, with his companies Medicare24 Tshwane District and Luxo Africa Brand Investments listed as accused two and three.
Matlala pleaded guilty on June 25 to seven counts of fraud, corruption and money laundering linked to a police health tender awarded to Medicare24 Tshwane District.
The tenderpreneur, who is also accused of orchestrating the attempted murder of actress and influencer Tebogo Thobejane, had been engaged in plea discussions with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). However, those negotiations have now been abandoned, meaning the matter will proceed to trial in the ordinary course.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed that there is no longer any plea agreement before the court.
“There is no plea agreement before court. The matter proceeds as an ordinary trial with all the accused,” Kganyago said following proceedings.
The collapse of the negotiations means Matlala rejoins his co-accused, who have remained part of the case throughout the legal process.
He will remain in custody at the C-Max section of the Kgosi Mampuru II correctional centre and faces a separate trial on 25 charges, including 11 counts of attempted murder.
The development comes just days after fresh controversy emerged around Matlala’s alleged access to firearms while already facing serious criminal charges.
Authorities recently arrested a man in Mpumalanga in connection with the alleged illegal sale of firearms to Matlala. Investigators claim the suspect supplied several weapons that were allegedly linked to Matlala despite his ongoing legal troubles. The firearms investigation is being handled separately but adds another layer to the growing list of allegations surrounding the businessman.
The NPA has indicated that the attempted murder case remains trial-ready and prosecutors are confident they will proceed against all accused together.
Matlala remains in custody after previous attempts to secure his release on bail were unsuccessful. Courts have previously ruled that he poses a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses if released.
The collapse of the deal meant Matlala was entitled to withdraw his guilty plea and the state would have to prove its case against him from scratch before a different magistrate. The matter is moved to 11 September.
