Matlala and two co-accused granted weekend visits as trial enters second week

According to IOL, controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and two of his co-accused have been granted Saturday visits from friends and family as their trial resumes on Monday for a second week.

Weekend visits ordered

Judge Cassim Moosa ordered correctional services to facilitate visits by friends and family on Saturdays for the duration of the trial, subject to the department’s own rules, after advocates said the three men had been unable to see visitors during weekday court hours.

Trial within a trial

According to IOL, the court will continue with a “trial within a trial” to determine whether evidence gathered when accused number one, Musa Kekana, was arrested can be used against him. The hearing was triggered by Kekana’s objections that his arrest breached the Criminal Procedure Act, that his rights were not explained, that searches were conducted without a warrant, and that downloading material from seized items did not comply with the Cybercrimes Act.

Charges and state case

According to IOL, all five accused have denied all 25 charges against them, including 11 counts of attempted murder, each carrying a minimum sentence of life imprisonment. The state alleges Matlala ordered three shootings between August 2022 and January 2024 targeting taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, actress Tebogo Thobejane, and music producer Seunkie “DJ Vetteys” Mokubung.

The trial is set down for 30 court days and is scheduled to run until September 18, according to IOL.

Evidence and courtroom developments

According to IOL, the state told the court it had identified the Russian-model AK-47 allegedly used in the Sibanyoni shooting down to its serial number. Judge Moosa also barred the state from playing video footage from the scene pending authentication after defence teams raised concerns the footage may have been doctored or subjected to artificial intelligence.

Witness testimony

According to IOL, security guard Bethuel Mzamo Cele testified about the August 10, 2022 incident at the Centurion Golf Estate. He described seeing a red Ferrari arrive, followed by a white Golf 7 and a white BMW, and said two men climbed out with AK-47s. Cele told the court he fired 15 shots and described the scene as “like it happened yesterday.”

Cele also told the court that testifying had revived painful memories and that police had shown him video footage of the shooting before his typed statement was taken. The state later stood him down to recall him once the video issue is resolved.

Next steps

According to IOL, the courtroom will pause the main trial while the judge hears evidence and arguments about the disputed material related to Kekana’s arrest. Cross-examination of the next witness was due to begin on Monday.