State says 90% of evidence disclosed in Matlala case as defence prepares bid to compel records

The State says it has now handed over most of the outstanding evidence requested by the defence in the case involving alleged underworld figure, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused, with prosecutors telling the Johannesburg High Court that only a handful of issues remain unresolved.

Matlala and his co-accused appeared in court on Thursday in connection with multiple charges linked to alleged shootings between 2022 and 2024.

According to the prosecution, about 90% of the defence’s requests for further particulars have already been complied with.

State prosecutor, Elize Le Roux, told the court that the prosecution had now complied with most of the defence’s requests for disclosure in the high-profile matter.

The State also clarified that some of the information requested by the defence does not exist, including Automatic Vehicle Location records for certain police vehicles allegedly used during arrests connected to the case.

At the same time, prosecutors confirmed that amendments had been made to the indictment, but stressed that no additional charges had been introduced.

The court heard that the amendments mainly relate to corrections in numbering, wording and references in the charge sheet to align with charges already contained in the body of the indictment.

The accused face 25 charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, money laundering and firearm-related offences linked to three alleged shooting incidents between 2022 and 2024.

Meanwhile, the defence says it intends to launch an application to compel the State to hand over what it believes is still outstanding evidence ahead of the trial proceedings scheduled for July.

During proceedings, the defence argued that while disclosure had been provided in phases, key information requested by the accused had still not been handed over.

Matlala’s lawyer, Annelene Van Den Heever, told the court the defence had deliberately avoided bringing what it described as a “piecemeal application” while waiting additional documentation from prosecutors.

The defence also disputed the State’s explanation regarding missing Automatic Vehicle Location tracking records linked to police vehicles allegedly used during arrests in the matter.

Counsel argued that police vehicles are routinely fitted with tracking systems and maintained that the records should be obtainable through service providers.

Judge William Karam ruled that the trial will proceed uninterrupted from 20 July. The court also set aside 15 June, and potentially 17 June, for the hearing of the defence’s anticipated application relating to outstanding documentation.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe