State to table Kekana affidavits as Matlala trial resumes

The High Court in Johannesburg is set to resume a trial within a trial on Tuesday, focusing on the attempted murder case of Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala and four co-accused. Matlala is alleged to have masterminded three unsuccessful assassination attempts against his former girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, businessman Joe Sibanyoni, and music producer Seunkie Mokubung, also known as DJ Vettys. These incidents occurred between August 2022 and January 2024.

Currently, the main trial is on hold while the court assesses the admissibility of evidence connected to accused Musa Kekana. This trial within a trial is poised to commence anew, with the prosecution intending to present affidavits handed in by Kekana during his bail application in the 2024 murder trial of Armand Swart, a resident of Vereeniging.

On Monday, the court heard from a State witness who claimed to have observed Kekana multiple times preceding his arrest, driving a vehicle matching the description of one captured on CCTV footage from the Swart murder scene. This vehicle was subsequently recovered at Kekana's residence in Kew, a locality north of Johannesburg. According to the charge sheet, an assault rifle believed to be linked to the murder was also discovered inside the vehicle. A witness testifying in the Matlala and others case corroborates the alleged hitman's presence.