Matlala trial | State’s third witness backs police version of Musa Kekana’s arrest

The State has strengthened its case in the trial-within-a-trial involving alleged underworld figure, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused, with a third witness corroborating police evidence that accused number one, Musa Kekana, was informed of his constitutional rights and received medical assistance after falling ill during his arrest.

Lieutenant-Colonel, Tumelo Tsotetsi, testified in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday, supporting the account previously given by Tactical Response Team Captain, Phimi Sekgobela, about the April 2024 operation in Bramley that led to Kekana’s arrest.

Tsotetsi told the court that after Kekana and another suspect were arrested, Sekgobela explained their constitutional rights before police took Kekana to his residence, where investigators believed another vehicle linked to the case was located.

The witness also described Kekana’s condition while in police custody, saying he repeatedly complained of a chest problem.

According to Tsotetsi, officers adjusted his position to make him more comfortable before later noticing that he was coughing up blood.

He testified that police immediately arranged medical assistance, after which Kekana was taken to hospital.

Earlier in the day, the defence challenged Sekgobela over inconsistencies in his evidence, with the officer conceding that he had mistakenly testified that Kekana coughing up blood had been recorded in his police diary, when it appeared only in his formal statement.

Defence counsel, Advocate Annelene van den Heever, also questioned whether police complied with South African Police Service (SAPS) crime-scene management procedures during the operation.

The trial-within-a-trial will determine whether evidence obtained during Kekana’s arrest was lawfully obtained and can be admitted in the main trial.

Matlala, his wife and three co-accused face 25 charges, including attempted murder, fraud and money laundering, linked to three alleged murder plots between 2022 and 2024.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe