The Department of Correctional Services has confirmed the transfer of remand detainee Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to eBongweni Correctional Centre in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal.
Matlala was moved on 21 December 2025 from the C Max unit at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria. According to the department, the transfer was carried out in line with standard correctional procedures informed by security assessments, operational requirements, and inmate classification protocols. Officials emphasised that transfers of this nature are routine, particularly in the management of high risk detainees.
Heightened Security Concerns At Kgosi Mampuru
The decision to relocate Matlala follows increased security concerns at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre. Authorities recently discovered a mobile phone in his possession, prompting a series of raids at the facility, including its high security sections.
National Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale oversaw the operations. The confiscated device was handed over to the South African Police Service for further investigation, while Matlala’s security status was reassessed as part of internal processes.
Charges And Ongoing Investigations
Matlala was arrested in connection with an alleged shooting incident in October 2023, which authorities believe was linked to a suspected hit on his former partner, socialite Tebogo Thobejane. He currently faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering, all of which remain before the courts.
In addition, he has been linked to allegations of corruption involving members of law enforcement and the broader criminal justice system. Several investigations and media reports have portrayed him as a key figure in claims of police infiltration and undue influence, although these allegations have not yet been tested in court.
Matlala has also appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is probing allegations of corruption within the police and judiciary.
Inside South Africa’s Ultra Maximum Security Prison
eBongweni Correctional Centre is South Africa’s only ultra maximum security prison and is regarded as a facility of last resort. It houses inmates considered unmanageable in other correctional centres due to the severity of security risks they pose.
Reports indicate that inmates at eBongweni spend up to 23 hours a day in solitary confinement under constant surveillance. Exercise is restricted to a single hour of exposure to sunlight in a small enclosed courtyard, with all movement tightly controlled.
Correctional Services describes the facility as one specifically designed to manage offenders who cannot be safely accommodated elsewhere in the system.
Legal Status Remains Unchanged
The department has confirmed that Matlala’s transfer does not affect his legal rights or access to legal representation. Officials said arrangements remain in place to ensure his court appearances continue without disruption.
Correctional Services declined to provide further details, citing the sensitive security considerations surrounding inmate placements at the eBongweni ultra maximum security facility.
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