Overview

• Prosecutors say the bail appeal will be heard at 10am before Judge Elmien du Plessis in the Johannesburg High Court, according to the NPA.
• Magistrate Dyta Prinsloo denied bail in September, citing flight risk, likely witness interference and no exceptional circumstances, with an investigator alleging Matlala holds an unlawfully obtained Eswatini ID.
• Matlala, his wife Tsakani, two alleged hitmen and a fifth accused face charges tied to the October 2023 attack on Tebogo Thobejane, including attempted murder, conspiracy, fraud, money laundering and defeating the ends of justice.
• The case was postponed to 11 November for centralisation of two Pretoria dockets linked to the shootings of Joe Sibanyoni in 2022 and DJ Vettys in 2024, where the state expects to add attempted-murder and conspiracy charges.
• Separate to the bail fight, the KZN police commissioner alleges Matlala received a SAPS tender of over R360 million later cancelled on 13 May 2025 and claims to hold messages and payment records suggesting efforts to influence police and ANC figures.