Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala: The Controversial Businessman at the Center of Power, Wealth, and Scandal

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala Biography

In South Africa, the name Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala sparks strong emotions. To some, he is a clever businessman who rose from humble beginnings to build companies that won government contracts worth millions. To others, he is a symbol of corruption, greed, and the dark relationship between crime and power in the country. His story is filled with ambition, mystery, and controversy. From his rise in business to his recent troubles with the law, Cat Matlala’s life is one that reads like a crime drama, except it is all too real. This biography looks deeply into who he is, where he came from, what he achieved, and the storm of scandals that now surround him.

Early Life and Background

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala was born in South Africa, but many of the details about his early life remain hidden from the public. His exact date of birth has not been officially confirmed, though media reports in 2025 placed his age at around 49 years old. That would mean he was likely born in the mid-1970s. Unlike many other public figures, very little is known about his parents or whether he has brothers and sisters.

This lack of information about his childhood has added to the air of mystery around him. While most prominent businesspeople have their family backgrounds openly discussed, Matlala’s personal history has remained in the shadows. Some believe this is by design, a way to protect himself and his loved ones from unwanted attention. Others think it reflects the double life he may have lived for many years, switching between businessman and alleged underworld figure.

What is clear is that he grew up in South Africa during a time of political and social change. The 1980s and early 1990s were years of struggle, hope, and instability as apartheid ended and democracy began. Many young men of his generation were forced to find ways to survive in difficult economic conditions. Some turned to crime, while others built businesses. Matlala seems to have done a mix of both, according to different reports.

Education

Information about Cat Matlala’s education is also scarce. Unlike many business leaders who proudly list their schools, degrees, or diplomas, there are no confirmed records of where Matlala studied. What is known is that he became skilled in business operations, networking, and negotiations. Whether this knowledge came from formal schooling or from street-level experience remains a question.

What cannot be denied is that he understood how to take advantage of opportunities in the world of government tenders and security contracts. His ability to move between boardrooms, police offices, and the underground world shows that he was a man who learned fast and knew how to adapt.

Career and Rise to Power

Matlala’s career is one of the most debated parts of his life. He presented himself as a businessman with companies in security, health services, and government supply contracts. His name is linked to several companies, including:

Medicare24 Tshwane District – a health and wellness services provider.
Cat VIP Protection Pty Ltd – a private security company.
Black AK Trading & Suppliers – a supply business.
Cor Kabeng Trading & Suppliers – another trading company.

Through these companies, Matlala became connected to multi-million rand government tenders. His biggest achievement was in 2024, when one of his companies won a R360 million contract to provide health and wellness services to members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

This contract placed him at the center of attention. On the surface, it looked like a major business victory, proof that his companies had grown powerful enough to serve the police at a national level. But soon, questions were raised about how the contract was awarded. Investigations suggested there were irregularities in the bidding process. Critics claimed his companies were not the most qualified and that corruption may have been involved. Eventually, the contract was cancelled, and the scandal placed him under the media spotlight.

Achievements and Business Reputation

Despite the controversies, it would be unfair to say that Matlala had no achievements. He was able to build companies from the ground up and convince high-level officials to trust him with big projects. In South Africa, where the business environment is highly competitive and often political, this takes skill, confidence, and determination.

His companies created jobs for many people, from security guards to healthcare workers. In that sense, his work did contribute to the economy, even if the means of getting contracts are questioned.

Matlala also managed to build a personal reputation as a man who was bold, ambitious, and fearless. His nickname “Cat” symbolized his survival skills. Just like a cat that always lands on its feet, he seemed able to escape trouble and come back stronger, at least until recently.

Criminal Allegations

The story of Cat Matlala cannot be told without speaking about the long list of criminal allegations against him.

In 2023, a shocking incident changed his life. A vehicle carrying his former partner, socialite and actress Tebogo Thobejane, was shot at. She was injured, and her companion was seriously wounded. This violent act was linked to Matlala in media reports, and he was later charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering.

In May 2025, he was arrested in Midrand. His arrest was dramatic, as police saw him not just as an ordinary suspect but as a man with influence, money, and connections that could allow him to escape justice. When he applied for bail later that year, the court denied his application, saying he was too dangerous to be released. The judge noted that he could interfere with witnesses or flee the country.

There are also reports that Matlala held a second identity in Eswatini, under the name Vusimuzi Dlamini. This raised concerns that he could use foreign documents to run from justice.

While in prison, he reportedly got into more trouble. Authorities claimed he was found with a cellphone, something strictly forbidden. This led to him being moved to the high-security C-Max prison section.

Beyond the criminal charges, Matlala is a central figure in what some call “police capture”. Investigative journalists have suggested that he used money and gifts to influence police officers, making them protect his business interests. There are even claims that he directed payments, sometimes called “kickbacks,” to senior officials.

Net Worth

Estimating Cat Matlala’s net worth is difficult because of the nature of his businesses and the secrecy around his finances. However, based on the contracts he won and the assets linked to him, it is believed that his net worth could be in the range of tens of millions of rands.

The R360 million SAPS contract alone, if it had continued, would have given his company huge profits. He also owned security businesses and trading companies that handled government supply deals. Even if some of this wealth was frozen or lost due to cancelled contracts, it is clear that he lived a wealthy lifestyle compared to ordinary South Africans.

His wealth also gave him power, which he used to build networks in both business and government. But wealth also brought attention, and in the end, it played a role in his downfall.

Personal Life

Matlala’s personal life is surrounded by secrecy and drama. His relationship with Tebogo Thobejane became public after the shooting incident, but beyond that, little is known about his romantic or family life.

There are no confirmed details about whether he has children, siblings, or close relatives. This silence could be a deliberate move to protect his family from the dangers connected to his controversial life.

Current Status

As of late 2025, Cat Matlala remains in custody awaiting trial. His case has become one of the most followed in South Africa, not only because of the charges against him but because it highlights the deep problems of corruption, tender fraud, and links between business and crime.

If convicted, he could spend many years in prison. If acquitted, he may still find it difficult to rebuild his public image. Either way, his name will remain a symbol of the struggles South Africa faces in cleaning up its business and political systems.

Legacy and Public Perception

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is a man who inspires strong opinions. Some admire his ability to rise in business, while others see him as a dangerous example of how corruption can destroy trust in institutions.

His legacy, for now, is one of power mixed with scandal. He showed that with the right connections, even an ordinary man could reach the top of government contracting. But he also showed that shortcuts, greed, and unlawful actions come with heavy consequences.

In many ways, his story is a warning to others: success built on shaky ground cannot last forever.

Conclusion

The story of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is far from over. A businessman, a controversial figure, and now a prisoner awaiting trial, his life reflects both the opportunities and dangers of modern South Africa. He reached heights that many dream of, winning massive contracts and living with wealth and influence. Yet, the same ambition that lifted him up also pulled him into a world of crime and corruption.

Whether history will remember him as a smart entrepreneur who was brought down unfairly, or as a symbol of corruption finally facing justice, will depend on the outcome of his trial. But one thing is certain: his name will not be forgotten anytime soon.