State set to introduce Kekana affidavits as Matlala trial resumes

The State is expected to introduce affidavits submitted by Musa Kekana during an earlier bail application when a trial within a trial resumes in the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday.

The proceedings form part of the attempted murder case involving businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and four co-accused.

Matlala is accused of orchestrating three failed assassination attempts targeting his former girlfriend Tebogo Thobejane, businessman Joe Sibanyoni and music producer Seunkie Mokubung, known as DJ Vettys. The alleged attacks took place between August 2022 and January 2024.

All five accused are presumed innocent unless convicted. The allegations in the charge sheet have not yet been determined by the court.

The main trial has been paused while the court decides whether evidence relating to Kekana may be admitted. The affidavits were filed during Kekana's bail application in the 2024 murder case of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart.

On Monday, a State witness testified that he had previously seen Kekana driving a vehicle matching one recorded on CCTV at the scene of Swart's killing.

The vehicle was later recovered at Kekana's property in Kew, north of Johannesburg, SABC News reported. The charge sheet alleges that an assault rifle linked to the killing was found inside.

Those assertions remain part of the State's case. The trial within a trial must determine whether the disputed material may be used in the main proceedings.