Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala And Four Co-Accused To Return To High Court For Trial-Within-A-Trial
The proceedings are focused on a challenge to evidence obtained by police during the arrest of first accused Musa Kekana.
Alleged underworld kingpin Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and four co-accused are expected to return to the High Court in Johannesburg as proceedings continue in a trial within a trial.
The five accused face charges including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering. The case concerns an alleged plot linked to the botched assassination of socialite Tebogo Thobejane, businessman Joe Sibanyoni and music producer Seunkie Mokubung.
The main trial has been put on hold while the court determines whether disputed evidence can be admitted.
The trial-within-a-trial was triggered by an objection from first accused Musa Kekana, who is challenging the State’s use of some evidence obtained by police during his arrest.
Police Officers Defend Arrest
The prosecution has so far called police officers involved in Kekana’s arrest to testify about the circumstances surrounding the collection of the disputed evidence.
The officers have maintained that they acted lawfully when Kekana was arrested.
Their evidence forms part of the court’s assessment of whether the material obtained during the arrest was legally acquired and can subsequently be used in the main proceedings.
Prosecution Expected To Call Another Witness
The State is expected to call another witness as it continues presenting evidence in the trial within a trial.
The outcome of the admissibility proceedings will determine whether the contested evidence can be relied upon when the main trial resumes.
The charges against Matlala and the four other accused remain allegations until determined by the court.
Main Trial Remains On Hold
The proceedings relating to the alleged attempted killings and money-laundering charges have been paused while the admissibility dispute is considered.
The case is centred on allegations surrounding the attempted assassination of Thobejane, Sibanyoni and Mokubung. The court must first resolve Kekana’s challenge to the police evidence before the main trial can proceed.
