Hospital staff feared plot to remove accused Musa Kekana, court hears

According to IOL, hospital staff at Edenvale feared someone might try to remove murder accused Musa Kekana from his ward after his arrest, prompting searches, restricted access to the floor and requests for extra prison guards.

What was recorded in hospital notes

IOL reports the security measures were recorded in hospital notes that the defence placed before the Johannesburg High Court and were reviewed by Judge Cassim Moosa. The entry documented that Kekana could not be moved to Tembisa Hospital, staff had begun searching him, the floor above him was closed off, and the matron was to ask prison officials whether more staff could be deployed that night.

Evidence from the treating doctor

Dr Ziphelele Mazibuko, identified by IOL as the state’s seventh witness, treated Kekana at Edenvale Hospital on April 18 and 19, 2024. During cross-examination, Mazibuko said she recorded that Kekana told her he had been suffocated, and she explained the medication she prescribed him.

How staff described their concerns

The judge asked Mazibuko about the phrase “body checks” in the notes. She said:

“I would understand it as they would search the patient to see if there’s anything of concern.”

Moosa commented on the notes, saying:

“My comment is that it seems like the staff themselves were fearing for their security.”

Courtroom exchanges

IOL reports that Kekana’s counsel, advocate Riaan Gissing, objected to the judge’s line of questioning, saying the court risked “inducing further and new evidence on record.” The state advocate noted the documents had been submitted by the defence and were already before the court. Moosa dismissed the complaint and told the court that documents placed before it must be carefully considered by the trier of fact.

Procedural context

IOL says the hospital notes were raised during the trial-within-a-trial in the matter involving Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused. The trial-within-a-trial continued in the Johannesburg High Court after the evidence described above.