Acting National Police Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has praised investigators for bringing three high-profile contract killing cases to trial, with alleged mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala among the accused.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Dimpane commended members of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and Gauteng Counter Intelligence Operations (GCI-OPS) for their relentless efforts in ensuring the matters reached the trial stage.
“On Monday, 20 July 2026, members of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and Gauteng Counter Intelligence Operations will appear before the Gauteng South High Court where accused persons, including the alleged mastermind of these contract killings, Cat Matlala, will stand trial on the attempted murders of businessman Joe Sibanyoni and five others, media personality Tebogo Thobejane and three others, and musician DJ Vettys and two others.”
Dimpane praised investigators for their commitment, resilience and determination in building strong cases against those allegedly responsible for planning and carrying out the attacks.
“The commencement of this trial is the result of months of meticulous investigations, intelligence-driven operations and evidence gathering by members who refused to give up until those responsible were brought before the courts,” Mathe said.
Investigations into the three cases began in December 2024, Mathe said.
She said detectives and intelligence operatives linked the accused across all three matters through extensive investigative work.
Dimpane said the State’s case is supported by compelling evidence gathered during the investigation.
“Our investigators have collected overwhelming evidence that exposes the role played by each accused. This evidence will be presented before court and we are confident that the truth will emerge during the trial,” she said.
Investigators have recovered two firearms allegedly linked to the attempted murders of Sibanyoni and DJ Vetteys. Further forensic and ballistic evidence also forms part of the State’s case.
Dimpane said the start of the trial should serve as a warning to those involved in organised violent crime.
“This is a clear message to anyone who plans and executes contract killings: SAPS will pursue you relentlessly. We will use every available resource, every investigative tool and every intelligence capability at our disposal to ensure criminal syndicates are dismantled and those responsible are removed from society for a very long time,” she said.
She added that the victims and their families deserve justice and reaffirmed SAPS’ commitment to ensuring accountability.
Dimpane also expressed confidence in the work of the PKTT, GCI-OPS and all investigators involved, saying she hoped the trial would result in lengthy prison sentences for those found guilty.
After months of delays, the trial of Matlala and his four co-accused will begin in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday after the matter was declared trial-ready.
Matlala, his wife Tsakani Matlala, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, Musa Kekana and Nthabiseng Nzama face 25 charges linked to three alleged assassination attempts between August 2022 and January 2024.
The charges include attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of illegal firearms and ammunition, and money laundering.
Matlala also faces separate fraud and money laundering charges linked to a Tshwane District Health Services tender awarded to his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District.
The attempted murder charges relate to alleged plots targeting actress Tebogo Thobejane, taxi boss and businessman Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, and music producer Seunkie Mokubung, popularly known as DJ Vetteys.
The State alleges Matlala masterminded the plots, with Mabusela and Kekana recruited as gunmen, while his wife allegedly played a role in the conspiracies.
Nzama faces money laundering charges.
Prosecutors allege she received R100,000 from Matlala’s business account before transferring the money to her father as payment linked to the alleged attempt on Thobejane.
