High Court to hear ‘Cat’ Matlala’s plea for transfer from SA’s only super-max prison

Alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is due back in the Johannesburg High Court on Friday for details to be established on his detention at eBongweni Super Maximum Prison in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal,

Last week, Matlala, his wife, Tsakane, and three others appeared in the High Court for a pre-trial hearing.

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But Matlala’s lawyer pleaded with the court for his removal from the country’s only super-max prison.

Matlala has featured prominently in the Madlanga Commission, being accused of infiltrating the police service and scoring dodgy tenders.

But it’s three botched hits between August 2022 and January 2024 that have him as an accused in the Johannesburg High Court.

Matlala, Tsakane and three others have 25 charges, 11 of which are for attempted murder.

After his arrest in 2025, he was held at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre, but was transferred to the country’s only super maximum prison in December.

Last week, during his first appearance in the High Court, Matlala’s lawyers told the court that it is near impossible to consult with him while he is at eBongweni Super Maximum Prison and so he cannot prepare for his trial.

“Then to consult he sits behind a thick glass where you can barely hear each other with people around you listening to what’s going on, and I respectfully submit that it’s a well-known fact that they also record whatever conversations and consultations that’s going on there,” said Advocate Anneline van den Heerver.

Judge William Karam advised Matlala to make an urgent application in the High Court for his transfer to another prison.

On Friday, the court will receive an update from the State, which was tasked with establishing from the Deparment of Correctional Services what prompted Matlala’s move to eBongweni Super Maximum Prison.