Developing story: the trial was due to resume on Monday morning and proceedings may have moved on since this was written.
The attempted murder trial of Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala was expected to resume in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday, with a defence medical witness due to continue testifying in a challenge to the State's evidence. All five accused are presumed innocent unless and until convicted.
What the court is hearing
The court is conducting a trial-within-a-trial, a separate hearing to decide whether certain evidence may be admitted. Accused Musa Kekana is challenging the admissibility of evidence obtained on the day of his arrest. He claims he was assaulted and suffocated by police, that he was not read his constitutional rights, and that his house was searched without a warrant.
The medical expert, Professor Gert Saayman, has previously told the court that he could not conclusively say Kekana was suffocated by police, but could not rule out the possibility, according to reports of his earlier testimony.
The accused and the charges
The five accused are Matlala, his wife Tsakane, Kekana, Tiego Mabusela and Nthabiseng Nzama. The charges include conspiracy to commit murder and eleven counts of attempted murder. The State alleges three failed attempts on the lives of Tebogo Thobejane, Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni and Deejay Vettys between August 2022 and January 2024.
Reports say the evidence linking the accused to this case emerged from arrests connected to the investigation into the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart.
What we do not yet know
- Whether the witness completed testimony on Monday and when the court will rule on admissibility.
- When the main trial will continue once the admissibility ruling is made.
