Trial dates set for Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala contract killings case despite objections
The trial involving alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi Matlala and his co-accused got underway in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday, with proceedings set to continue with a scheduled pause in August following a ruling by Judge Cassim Moosa.
This comes after legal arguments over whether the matter should proceed uninterrupted, as initially directed by the pre-trial court.
Counsel for accused number one, Advocate Riaan Gissing, applied for the trial to pause between 11 and 28 August, citing prior commitments in another matter.
Explaining the application, Judge Moosa said, "Mr Gissing indicates that he was not going to be available on the 5th and 6th of August 2026, and in addition thereto, not available to proceed during the period from the 11th to the 28th of August 2026. The challenge he would have is that accused number one would be severely prejudiced in the instance where the matter would proceed to trial in his absence."
The court heard that Gissing had previously communicated his unavailability and proposed that his instructing attorney stand in for him on certain dates.
However, the application was opposed by Advocate Annelene van den Heever, representing Matlala and his wife in the matter.
Van den Heever argued that an existing court order required the trial to proceed uninterrupted from July through September, cautioning against any deviation.
Judge Moosa acknowledged the pre-trial directive but emphasised that the trial court has a responsibility to manage proceedings and ensure fairness to all parties.
In his ruling, Moosa said the court must weigh constitutional rights, including the right to a fair and speedy trial.
"The court simply has to carefully balance the constitutional rights, the right to a fair trial, the right to a speedy trial and determine if there is going to be any prejudice."
He found that allowing a temporary pause would not prejudice any of the accused, as the revised schedule would still comply with the required 30 trial days.
Judge Moosa ordered that the trial run as planned.
"It is ordered that the trial shall commence today and shall continue uninterruptedly up until Friday, the 7th day of August 2026. The trial shall then pause and resume again on Monday, the 31st day of August 2026, up until Friday, the 18th day of September 2026."
Matlala and his co-accused are standing trial in connection with three attempted murder cases linked to alleged contract killings.
He is accused of being the mastermind behind targeted attacks on businessman Joe Sibanyoni, media personality Tebogo Thobejane and musician DJ Vettys.
The case stems from an investigation launched in December 2024 by the Political Killings Task Team and Gauteng Counter-Intelligence Operations, aimed at linking the accused to multiple violent incidents.
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