Vusimuzi Matlala Allegedly Used Fake Passport To Cross Into Eswatini, SA Jokes He’s a Foot Risk
- The State claims that Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is a flight risk, adding that he isn't being honest with the court
- The State alleges that Matlala used a fraudulent passport to cross over into Eswatini twice
- South Africans took to social media to discuss the claims against Cat, joking that he was more than a flight risk
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG - Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is a flight risk who has not been honest with the court.
That’s according to the State prosecutor, who claimed that the controversial businessman was not playing open cards with the court during his bail application.
Matlala appeared at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 8 September 2025, facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, fraud and money laundering. All charges are connected with the alleged hit on his ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, in October 2023.
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Why does the State consider Matlala a flight risk?
During his last appearance, the prosecutor stated that Matlala was a flight risk because of a fraudulent passport.
Police found an Eswatini passport under the name Vusimuzi Dlamini, which Matlala claims was planted by police to frame him. The State says that the passport, which allegedly belongs to him, showed that he went to Eswatini twice, crossing the border on foot.
“This raises the question of why the applicant visits Eswatini for only one night each time. He apparently found it necessary to do so twice. Once in February and in April 2024. This is again just another example of an aspect where the applicant is not playing open cards with this honourable court,” the prosecutor said.
The State added that they could prove the passport belonged to him thanks to conversations between him and his wife. Matlala is alleged to have sent a message to his wife on 18 March 2025, asking that she forward him his Swati ID, because he had deleted it on his side. She then sent him the picture of the Eswatini identity document.
Source: Getty Images
What you need to know about Matlala’s case
- Tsakani Matlala was granted bail by the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg in June.
- Paul Mashatile confirmed that meetings were held with officials implicated in allegations of ties to Matlala.
- Matlala allegedly threatened to take legal action against the SAPS officials involved in a raid at his property.
- Julius Malema denied having any links to 'Cat' Matlala, but South Africans weren't having it.
- Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize has been cleared of any association with Matlala, after false allegations were made.
- Matlala denied being the mastermind behind the hit on Thobejane.
How did South Africans react?
Social media users were amused by the latest development, with many joking that he wasn’t a flight risk because he left the country on foot.
Hloks Molaudi said:
“Yet he still wants bail? He’s an on-foot risk.”
KaMadonsela Lee-Thando agreed:
“No bail. He's a foot risk this one🤣.”
Onke Dadasi claimed:
“He already lost his bail application this one. He is a flight risk.”
Cphiwe Pascal KA noted:
“Sneaky cat😅. This man owns a plane but decides to cross on foot🤣.
Lesley de Vos said:
“Finally, I know what foot and mouth disease is.
Tshenolo Tsheks Amor joked:
“He's a foot risk🤣.”
Tshenolo Tsheks Amor said:
“He's a foot risk🤣.”
Matlala worried about germs in prison
Briefly News reported that Matlala expressed concerns about the germs in jail, saying he had chronic health issues.
He explained to the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court that it was for this reason that he needed to be granted bail.
The Gauteng businessman is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, fraud and money laundering.
Source: Briefly News
