Johannesburg – The defence has objected to hearsay evidence in the trial of alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and four co-accused at the Johannesburg High Court.
According to EWN, the objection came after former Bramley police station commander Colonel Owen King testified about an alleged plan to forcibly remove co-accused Musa Kekana from Edenvale Hospital while he was under police guard.
King told the court that hospital staff had raised concerns after allegedly overhearing Kekana discussing the plan during a phone call.
He said he was then informed by an unidentified doctor about the alleged threat and instructed one of his subordinates to remove Kekana from the hospital and take him to the Bramley police cells.
King said his decision was motivated by concerns over the safety of hospital staff and police officers.
“My concern was my staff or people at the hospital could be injured,” he told the court, according to the report.
The defence, however, challenged the evidence, arguing that King never met the doctor and could not identify the person who allegedly provided the information.
Witness X took the stand in the trial-within-a-trial of the case involving Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and his co-accused. His testimony focused on Musa Kekana’s timeline, his alleged injuries, police presence and the search conducted at Kekana’s property. The witness told the court… pic.twitter.com/e5YHlKtoTG
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 7, 2026
The defence argued that this left it unable to cross-examine the doctor and that relying on the information could prejudice Kekana’s case.
Kekana is challenging the lawfulness of his arrest and the admissibility of evidence obtained following his arrest. He has also alleged that police removed him from Edenvale Hospital before he had completed his medical treatment and violated his constitutional rights.
The matter is being dealt with through a trial-within-a-trial, which will determine whether evidence linked to Kekana’s arrest can be admitted in the main proceedings.
According to SABC News, King told the court that he believed there was a credible threat of violence at the hospital and that he considered it necessary for Kekana to be discharged and returned to police custody.
The main trial involves Matlala, Kekana, Floyd Tiego Mabusela, Tsakani Matlala and Nthabiseng Nzama, who face charges including the alleged attempted murders of Tebogo Thobejane, businessman Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and music producer Seunkie Mokubung.
The trial-within-a-trial continues as the defence challenges the circumstances surrounding Kekana’s arrest and the evidence the State seeks to use against him.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
