Tsakane Matlala Files Harassment Charges Against Socialite Tebogo Thobejane Amid Ongoing Attempted Murder Proceedings

Tsakane Matlala files a harassment case against Tebogo Thobejane, alleging cyberbullying and defamation amid their ongoing attempted murder trial in Johannesburg.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 12:11 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from EWN

Legal Counter offensive in the Johannesburg High Court

In a dramatic shift in the ongoing prosecution of the Matlala family, Tsakane Matlala has formally moved to criminalize the conduct of the woman she is accused of trying to kill. Appearing before the Johannesburg High Court on Wednesday, Matlala confirmed through her legal counsel that she has opened a case of harassment and intimidation against socialite Tebogo Thobejane. This legal maneuver serves as a significant counter-narrative to the 25 charges currently facing Matlala and her husband, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. The defense argues that while the attempted murder trial proceeds, the accused’s own rights to protection from public vilification must be upheld by law enforcement.

Allegations of Cyberbullying and Defamation

The core of Matlala’s complaint involves Thobejane’s extensive use of social media to discuss the details of the case. Matlala’s lawyer, Hlawu Maluleke, stated that the socialite has been "muddying the waters" by repeatedly labeling his client a "killer" on various digital platforms. The defense maintains that such public labeling, occurring while the trial is still active, constitutes a direct violation of Matlala’s legal rights and a form of intimidation. The case, officially registered at the Randburg Police Station on March 3, 2026, seeks to address what the defense calls a campaign of cyberbullying intended to influence public opinion against the accused.

Procedural Shifts and Trial Postponement

During the Wednesday court appearance, the proceedings took a technical turn as Tsakane Matlala withdrew her previous intent to make representations to have the charges against her dropped. By electing to face the charges head-on while simultaneously pursuing the harassment case, Matlala has signaled a change in defensive strategy. The High Court has subsequently postponed the attempted murder case to May 2026, allowing time for both the prosecution and the defense to organize their respective evidence. This delay ensures that the 25 counts, which include 11 distinct allegations of attempted murder, will be heard in a consolidated fashion later this year.