The Johannesburg High Court has ruled that Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his two co-accused in custody may receive visits from relatives and friends on Saturdays while their trial is under way. The decision followed concerns raised by defence lawyers that the men had been unable to receive visitors since proceedings began earlier this week. The matter was heard before Judge Cassim Moosa on Friday.
Advocate Riaan Gissing, representing accused number one Musa Kekana, told the court that correctional services had indicated Saturday visits could take place only if authorised by the court.
“We humbly plead to the honourable court to make an order that they be allowed visitors,” Gissing said.
Advocate Nardus Grove, appearing for accused number two Tiego Floyd Mabusela, said his client required clean clothes for the coming week. Advocate Annelene van den Heever, acting for Matlala, supported the same request. Judge Moosa subsequently instructed correctional services to allow Saturday visits throughout the trial, subject to the department’s own regulations.
Matlala, Kekana and Mabusela remain behind bars while the trial continues. Matlala’s wife, Tsakani Matlala, and co-accused Nthabiseng Zandile Nzama remain on bail, with their bail conditions extended.
The five accused have pleaded not guilty to all 25 charges against them. Eleven of those counts relate to attempted murder, each carrying a prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment upon conviction.
The State alleges that Matlala, a 49-year-old businessman, orchestrated three separate shootings between August 2022 and January 2024. Prosecutors claim the intended targets included taxi operator Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, actress Tebogo Thobejane, and music producer Seunkie “DJ Vetteys” Mokubung, while other people present during the attacks account for the total of 11 attempted murder charges.
Additional charges before the court include conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, money laundering, and offences relating to firearms and ammunition. The matter has been allocated 30 court days and is expected to continue until 18 September.
Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala Trial Hears Dramatic Testimony From First State Witness
The Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala trial began on Monday with all five accused entering pleas of not guilty. Prosecutors also informed the court they had identified the Russian-made AK-47 allegedly used in the shooting involving Sibanyoni through its serial number.
On Tuesday, the State called its first witness, security guard Bethuel Mzamo Cele. Giving evidence in isiZulu through an interpreter, Cele recalled working at Centurion Golf Estate on the night of 10 August 2022 when the attack unfolded.
He described a red Ferrari arriving first, followed by a white Golf 7, before a white BMW stopped nearby and two armed men emerged carrying AK-47 rifles.
“The first bullet missed him.”
Reflecting on the ordeal, Cele said:
“If I am thinking about that incident, it’s like it happened yesterday.”
He told the court he pulled a fellow security officer behind a tree for cover before drawing his own firearm and returning fire, injuring one of the attackers. According to Cele, he discharged 15 rounds during the exchange.
“It was a bad situation, almost like war. Even I wished I had an AK-47 that day,” he said.
Cele also testified that one of the gunmen shouted:
“die, you dog”
as shots were fired towards people inside a parked vehicle.
The emotional weight of the incident became evident during his testimony. State advocate Elize le Roux paused proceedings after noting the witness was visibly distressed.
“I just need to place on record that the witness is clearly emotional at the moment, so I can note that he is reliving the moment,” Le Roux said.
Judge Moosa encouraged the witness to compose himself before continuing.
The first legal dispute of the trial also emerged on Tuesday after the State attempted to introduce video footage from the crime scene. Defence teams challenged its admissibility, arguing that its authenticity had not yet been established.
Judge Moosa ruled that the footage could not be played at that stage. He explained that the concern centred on whether the material may have been altered or manipulated through artificial intelligence.
“I leave the ball in your court,” he told Le Roux.
The prosecutor responded:
“I just want to make it clear, I’m not abandoning the video.”
Cross-examination later focused on the handling of ballistic evidence. Cele said he could not say whose spent cartridges police had collected after the shooting.
“Whether they were picking my cartridges or whoever’s cartridges, I don’t know… that is not my business,” he said.
He also told the court that appearing in court had revived painful memories.
“Previously, my lord, I received some strange calls, and that makes me really to abhor courts, no, rather to hate courts,” he said.
Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala Trial Sees Fresh Evidence And Legal Challenges
The Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala trial continued on Wednesday when advocate Grove informed the court he had visited Centurion Golf Estate twice to photograph the scene himself after the State was unable to present its video evidence.
Le Roux immediately objected to the use of those photographs.
“Who took them? When were they taken? Who’s the author? Are you calling the author?” she asked.
“It is unacceptable. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.”
“He places on record that he took the photograph. I’m asking the question, is he now witnessing his own case?” she said.
Judge Moosa reminded everyone involved that court proceedings were being closely followed.
“Please remember that these things are being recorded and Mr Joe Public is now listening into these proceedings,” he said.
On Thursday, Van den Heever questioned Cele extensively about the operation of his 9mm pistol. He agreed that empty cartridges are ejected to the side and land near the shooter, while confirming he had been lying on the ground when he fired.
She suggested that investigators had not recovered any of his spent cartridges.
“It’s a lie,” Cele replied repeatedly.
The defence further argued that the police sketch plan completed that evening did not show a Ferrari at the scene.
“At the time that the sketch plan was drawn, there was no Ferrari on the scene,” she said.
Cele rejected that suggestion, maintaining the Ferrari had been present. He also stated that police had shown him video footage before his formal statement was recorded, although he could not identify the officer involved.
Van den Heever additionally criticised the State’s approach to defence evidence.
“This is not a game where the one gets a leg up this side and the other one does that way,” she said.
She also informed the court that the accused had arrived wearing leg irons, arguing that this conflicted with a Supreme Court of Appeal ruling. Judge Moosa directed the officials responsible for transporting the accused to meet him in chambers.
Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala Trial Pauses For Trial Within A Trial
The Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala trial shifted focus on Friday after the State called a private security officer whose identity may not be shown publicly. He testified that a police captain contacted him on 17 April 2024 regarding two vehicles linked to a murder investigation in the Vereeniging area.
The witness said he monitored a property before observing a white Hyundai i20 arrive with two men. He later watched the same men leave in a white Mercedes-Benz V-Class and followed the vehicle until police stopped it.
[Madlanga Commission Told Suliman Carrim Spends Hours Outside Medical Facility Despite Illness Claim]
“They approached the vehicle with the rifles pointed towards the occupants,” he said.
“The members shouted out instructions, like put your hands up, hands up.”
Proceedings then took another turn after Gissing submitted a signed objection on behalf of Kekana. The defence argued that the arrest was unlawful, claiming police failed to explain his rights, searched property without a warrant, and extracted electronic evidence without complying with the Cybercrimes Act.
The defence contended that admitting such evidence would compromise the fairness of the trial.
Le Roux rejected those claims, saying police had acted lawfully.
“They in actual fact did not need accused number one’s assistance,” she said.
Judge Moosa ordered a trial within a trial to determine whether the disputed evidence may be admitted. The witness was then asked to identify the accused in court.
After Kekana removed his face mask and stood alongside the other accused in custody, the witness identified him.
“Let the record show that accused number one, Musa Kekana, is pointed out by the witness,” Le Roux said.
Judge Moosa instructed Kekana to raise his hands before the witness confirmed:
SEE TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES ACROSS LEADING PUBLICATIONS
“That is the gentleman, my lord,” the witness said.
The admissibility of that identification, together with other evidence gathered on the day of Kekana’s arrest, will now be determined before the main trial resumes. Cross-examination of the second State witness is expected to continue on Monday.
