Judge Cassim Moosa on Monday went to considerable lengths to assure alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his four co-accused that they would receive a fair trial as the closely watched murder-plot case got under way in the Johannesburg High Court.
On a day dominated by legal argument and procedural groundwork, the State read its opening statement in terms of Section 150 of the Criminal Procedure Act, setting out the case it intends to prove.
The first witness is expected to be called on Tuesday, 21 July 2026.
All five accused — Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, Matlala, his wife Tsakani Matlala, and Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama — earlier pleaded not guilty to all 25 charges.
None offered a plea explanation, with their counsel telling the court the charges were vehemently denied and that the State was put to the proof.
Certain formal admissions in terms of Section 220 are expected to be placed before the court on Tuesday.
Before proceedings advanced, Judge Moosa took time to explain the accuseds’ rights directly to them, at times stressing that he wanted to be satisfied that each accused could fully exercise those rights given the gravity of the charges they face.
“I want to invite you to take an active part in the defence of this trial,” he told them.
“Each of you must be provided with writing material. You’re welcome to raise your hand, and the court will come to your assistance. You will be fully included in this process.”
“At all material times, you need to know and understand what’s happening. You’re given this opportunity because you’re facing life imprisonment on some of these counts. As a result, the consequences are dire if you’re found guilty. This is your trial, and we shall give you an opportunity to challenge the evidence,” he said.
He then asked each accused in turn whether they understood the proceedings and were comfortable with them, and each indicated they were.
The role of the court, he said, was to ensure their rights were not trampled upon.
The first accused, Kekana, who appeared relaxed throughout the proceedings, told Africa Daily he was not in a position to comment for now.
“Perhaps tomorrow, but for now I cannot comment,” he said.
The trial survived an early challenge earlier in the day when counsel for Kekana applied for the matter to stand down because of a clashing trial commitment in Benoni from 11 to 28 August.
Judge Moosa, balancing that against the court’s duty to ensure the trial proceeded without unnecessary interruption, ordered proceedings to continue until 7 August, pause for the Benoni matter, and resume thereafter.
The five accused face 25 charges, including 11 counts of attempted murder linked to three separate shooting incidents allegedly committed between August 2022 and January 2024.
The State alleges they orchestrated multiple shootings, laundered money linked to the alleged assassination plots, and used a fraudulent invoice to conceal the source of the funds.
The charges relate to the alleged attempted murders of television actress Tebogo Thobejane, Matlala’s former girlfriend, music producer Seunkie “DJ Vetteys” Mokubong, and taxi tycoon Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, who is expected to be the State’s first witness.
Sibanyoni survived an ambush at the entrance to his golf estate, where investigators recovered about 21 AK-47/R5 cartridge casings.
The trial continues on Tuesday, 21 July 2026.
