Matlala trial | State witness stands by Kekana identification as co-accused seeks exemption

The State’s key witness in the attempted murder trial of alleged underworld figure, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, has firmly rejected accused number one, Musa Kekana’s, version of events, insisting he is certain Kekana was the man he saw driving a white Hyundai i20 from a murder scene in Vereeniging before later tracking him to a property in Bramley, where police arrested him.

The evidence emerged as the Johannesburg High Court heard further testimony on Monday in a trial-within-a-trial to determine whether evidence relating to Kekana’s arrest is admissible in the main trial.

During cross-examination, Advocate Riaan Gissing, representing Kekana, challenged CAB Security investigator, Jaco Sheppard’s, identification of his client arguing the witness only observed the driver for a few seconds and failed to describe key facial features in his original statement.

Gissing suggested Sheppard identified Kekana only after seeing him in the dock. He also put his client’s version to the court, claiming Kekana was at home on the day of the murder and that the Hyundai i20 belonged to one of his tenants.

Later, Tactical Response Team member Captain, Phimi Sekgobela, became the State’s third witness in the trial-within-a-trial. Sekgobela, who arrested Kekana and Michael Pule Tau in Bramley in April 2024 after they were linked to the murder of Armand Swart in Vereeniging, testified that he informed Kekana of his constitutional rights at the time of his arrest.

He also told the court that he had alerted a private security officer to be on the lookout for a vehicle linked to Swart’s murder. His evidence so far has corroborated testimony previously given by Sheppard about the events leading to Kekana’s arrest.

The court also heard an application by accused number five, Nthabiseng Nzama, to be excused from attending proceedings until evidence relating to the charges she faces is presented.

Nzama faces three counts of money laundering.

Her lawyer, Advocate Timothy Chauke, argued that she is currently studying and should not be required to attend proceedings until the State begins presenting evidence directly relating to the charges against her.

The State alleges Nzama received money from Matlala following the attempted murder of actress Tebogo Thobejane in October 2023, claiming the payment was intended for her father and co-accused, Tiego Floyd Mabusela.

Chauke told the court the State does not oppose the application and urged the judge to grant it.

Matlala have pleaded not guilty to 25 charges, including attempted murder, fraud and money laundering, linked to three alleged hit plots targeting taxi boss, Joe Sibanyoni, actress Tebogo Thobejane and music producer Seun Mokubung, popularly known as DJ Vettys, between August 2022 and January 2024.

Proceedings have been adjourned until Tuesday, when the trial-within-a-trial is expected to continue.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe