Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and four co-accused returned to the Johannesburg High Court on Friday 11 September 2026 as a trial-within-a-trial over the arrest of Musa Kekana continued. Judge Cassim Moosa is deciding whether the 17 April 2024 arrest was lawful and whether firearms and ammunition allegedly recovered from Kekana can be admitted in the main case.
The main trial, in which Matlala and his co-accused face 25 consolidated charges including conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, fraud and money laundering, has been paused for this evidentiary dispute. Kekana has alleged in court that police assaulted and suffocated him during the arrest, claims that remain untested and have not been independently verified by CapeFlats.co.za.
The central dispute is which vehicle carried Kekana after his arrest. Defence lawyer Riaan Gissing says Kekana was placed in the boot of a white Toyota Fortuner and taken to 8th Road, while police maintain he was transported in a Golf 7.
On 10 September, Warrant Officer Tshepo Phiri testified that he drove a white, unmarked Toyota Fortuner during the operation, contradicting an earlier denial by senior officer Sekgobela. The defence then introduced Automatic Vehicle Location records covering 15 police vehicles.
“Why has the existence of a Fortuner been hidden from this honourable court? That is important; it goes right to credibility.”
Gissing put that question to Phiri in cross-examination and said the tracking evidence would show both Phiri and Sekgobela were lying about the vehicle’s movements. The State asked for time to study the records before presenting further evidence.
Proceedings were adjourned for Sergeant Mayisela Ledwaba to take the stand on 11 September 2026 and testify about the arrest. EWN first reported Phiri’s testimony on 10 September, while the Mail & Guardian and Sowetan also carried court reports from the same proceedings; CapeFlats.co.za is drawing from their named court reporters and official court proceedings.
The trial-within-a-trial will determine whether crucial evidence is excluded from the main case, which includes allegations of attempted murder against actress Tebogo Thobejane and taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni. What remains unknown is when Judge Moosa will rule on the arrest’s legality and the admissibility of the recovered firearms, and CapeFlats.co.za will check the court record again after Friday’s proceedings resume.