Defence asks court to reject key witness’s evidence in Matlala attempted murder trial

The defence in the attempted murder trial of alleged underworld kingpin, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, has urged the Johannesburg High Court to reject the evidence of the State’s first witness, arguing that his testimony is riddled with contradictions and unsupported by forensic evidence.

The application came after security guard, Bethwell Cele, concluded three days of testimony and cross-examination by lawyers representing all five accused. Matlala and his four co-accused, including his wife Tsakane, have pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted murder, fraud and money laundering.

Advocate Annelene van der Heever, representing Matlala, argued that Cele was evasive, argumentative and inconsistent throughout his testimony. She told the court his evidence differed from several statements he made to police, particularly regarding his claim that he returned fire in self-defence.

Van der Heever submitted that although Cele repeatedly testified he fired at the gunmen after they opened fire on him, his earlier police statements instead indicated that he fired at a white BMW. She argued that the contradiction went to the heart of his version of events.

The defence also pointed to what it described as significant shortcomings in the State’s forensic evidence.

It questioned why investigators failed to recover any of the 15 spent 9-millimetre cartridges Cele said he fired from behind a flower bed during the August 2022 attempted hit on taxi boss, Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, outside the Centurion Golf Estate.

The defence further highlighted the absence of any references in official police documents to a damaged side mirror or the Ferrari allegedly involved in the shooting, arguing that key aspects of Cele’s account were not supported by the available evidence.

Cele rejected suggestions that he had changed his version, maintaining that any inconsistencies resulted from the way police recorded his statements. He insisted he had consistently recounted what happened on the day of the shooting.

Cross-examination has now concluded, with the court expected to determine the way forward when the trial resumes.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe