Lieutenant Colonel Tumelo Tsotetsi has completed his evidence in the trial-within-a-trial involving alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi Cat Matlala, with the court hearing conflicting accounts from police witnesses about the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the first accused. The testimony focused on disputed versions of what happened during the operation and the events that followed.
Matlala, his wife Tsakane, Musa Kekana, Floyd Mabusela and his daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama, are jointly facing 25 charges. The charges include conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder in connection with three separate incidents that allegedly took place between 2022 and 2024.
The court also heard that one of the central issues in the proceedings is the presence of a Toyota Fortuner at the scene where a Mercedes-Benz was stopped. Police witnesses have presented different versions on this point.
Conflicting Toyota Fortuner Evidence Emerges In Vusimuzi Cat Matlala Trial
The Vusimuzi Cat Matlala trial heard that Captain Pimi Sekgobela previously testified there was no Toyota Fortuner at the scene. His version differed from that of Lieutenant Colonel Tsotetsi, who maintained that a paramedic arrived in an unmarked black Toyota Fortuner.
When questioned about the vehicle, Tsotetsi was asked: “What we can agree on is that the paramedic arrived in a Fortuner, is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct,” he responded.
Tsotetsi added that Sekgobela had already left the location where the Mercedes-Benz was intercepted before the Fortuner arrived. According to his evidence, this could explain why the captain did not see the vehicle.
Vusimuzi Cat Matlala Trial Hears Different Versions On Medical Treatment
The Vusimuzi Cat Matlala trial also examined conflicting evidence relating to the accused’s medical treatment after the arrest. Defence questioning focused on whether the accused had been moved between locations in the manner previously described.
Tsotetsi was asked: “Captain Sekgobela denied that he was ever brought from Eighth Road to Fifth Road in the manner described; you don’t agree with his evidence?”
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“I don’t agree with that evidence. However, what I can say is that Captain Sekgobela had a lot of work on that day. It is possible that some of the things, he is not recalling correctly,” he responded.
Vusimuzi Cat Matlala Trial Postponed Until 31 August
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The Vusimuzi Cat Matlala trial has now been adjourned, with proceedings set to resume on 31 August. The trial-within-a-trial will continue as the court considers the disputed evidence presented by police witnesses.
Conflicting testimony over the alleged presence of the Toyota Fortuner and the accused’s medical treatment remains among the issues before the court as the matter progresses.
