Cape Town – A security guard became emotional in the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday as he recounted the night armed men opened fire at the Centurion Golf Estate in an alleged attempted hit linked to accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Bethuel Mzamo Cele was the first witness called by the State in the trial of Matlala and his four co-accused. Giving evidence in isiZulu through an interpreter, Cele described the events of 10 August 2022, when gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles allegedly ambushed vehicles at the estate.
According to Eyewitness News, Cele told the court that at about 10:35pm, a red Ferrari arrived at the estate, followed by a white Golf 7. He said he then noticed a white BMW driving slowly past before making a U-turn.
Cele testified that the BMW was carrying three occupants armed with AK-47 assault rifles. He said the vehicle stopped near the Ferrari and Golf 7, after which two men got out and opened fire on the Golf 7.
“They were shooting, but they were not shooting in our direction. They were shooting at the Golf 7. Then they shot at the Golf 7 and smashed the window,” Cele told the court.
He said a colleague urged him to use his firearm to defend himself.
[WATCH] Mzamo Cele, the first state witness in the case against Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala and his co accused, describes a shooting incident that took place while he and a colleague were on duty. Cele is testifying about the Joe Sibanyoni shooting incident. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/lo8sZAuogF
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 21, 2026
“Mazibugo screamed at me and said, ‘We can’t die while you are in possession of a firearm.’
“Then I pulled out the firearm. Then I grabbed it and shot. Yes, I fired some shots. Then I shot five rounds of bullets.”
Cele said he could see one of the gunmen positioned behind the gate while he continued returning fire.
“The other one was shooting, but he was shooting at the occupants who were inside that motor vehicle. I do not know who that person was.
“Then he said, ‘Die, you dog,’ and he started shooting again.”
He testified that one of the occupants of the targeted vehicle attempted to flee before he warned the person to return because they would be exposed without cover.
“Then I was shooting from a prone position, lying on my stomach. The occupants who were inside that motor vehicle then came out of the motor vehicle and ran in different directions.”
According to IOL, Cele is the complainant on one of the attempted murder charges after finding himself in the line of fire during the shooting. He is the sixth witness listed by the State and the first of dozens expected to testify during the 30-day trial.
The State alleges the shooting was an attempted assassination of taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and that Matlala orchestrated the attack.
Matlala, 49, also faces charges relating to two other alleged shootings between August 2022 and January 2024, including attacks targeting his former girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane, and music producer Seunkie “DJ Vetteys” Mokubung.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
