Matlala Trial | Police Fortuner contradiction puts arrest evidence under scrutiny

A police officer has admitted driving a white Toyota Fortuner on the day of Musa Kekana’s arrest, contradicting earlier State evidence that the vehicle was not present during the operation.

Warrant Officer, Tshepo Phiri, made the admission on Thursday while being cross-examined by Kekana’s lawyer, Riaan Gissing, in the Johannesburg High Court.

Phiri told the court that he followed Captain, Phimi Sekgobela’s, vehicle from Midway Mall to Eighth Road, where Kekana and his co-accused, Michael Pule Tau, were arrested on 17 April 2024.

He later left the Fortuner at Fifth Road before travelling to an R59 engine garage.

The vehicle has become a key point of contention in the trial-within-a-trial, which is examining whether evidence obtained during Kekana’s arrest can be admitted into the main trial.

Gissing repeatedly confronted Phiri over the discrepancy between his evidence and Sekgobela’s earlier account.

Sekgobela had previously told the court that there was no Fortuner, particularly no white Fortuner, at either Eighth Road or Fifth Road on the day of the arrests.

The defence alleges that Kekana was placed in the boot of the Fortuner and transported to his home after his arrest.

Phiri also conceded that he did not sign the vehicle logbook before taking the Fortuner, despite acknowledging that officers are required to record when they take over a police vehicle.

He further told the court that he relied on the vehicle’s AVL movement report to refresh his memory about his movements and the exact times of the operation.

The Fortuner’s presence, movements and use during Kekana’s arrest have therefore become central to the defence’s challenge to the State’s version of events.

Kekana, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and their co-accused face 25 charges, including attempted murder, fraud and money laundering. They have pleaded not guilty.

The charges relate to alleged hit plots targeting socialite, Tebogo Thobejane, businessman, Joe Sibanyoni and music producer, Seunkie ‘DJ Vettys’ Mokubung.

Proceedings resume on Friday, when a new state witness is expected to take the stand.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe