Accused all plead not guilty as Matlala trial gets underway in Joburg
The high-profile trial of alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and his co-accused has officially begun, with all accused entering not guilty pleas to the charges against them.
The State formally put the charges to the group on Monday as proceedings got underway.
In total, the accused face multiple charges, including three counts of attempted murder, as well as conspiracy to commit murder, money laundering, and being an accessory after the fact to attempted murder.
Musa Kekana, Floyd Mabusela and Matlala pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder.
On the money-laundering charges, Matlala, Mabusela, and Nthabiseng Nzama also pleaded not guilty.
Meanwhile, Tsakane Matlala, the wife of Vusimuzi Matlala, faces a charge of being an accessory after the fact to attempted murder. She has also pleaded not guilty.
The trial relates to three attempted murder cases, with the State alleging the accused were involved in orchestrating contract killings.
Matlala is accused of being the mastermind behind targeted attacks on businessman Joe Sibanyoni, media personality Tebogo Thobejane and musician DJ Vettys.
The matter stems from an investigation launched in December 2024 by the Political Killings Task Team and Gauteng Counter-Intelligence Operations.
The trial is expected to run over several weeks, with the State set to begin leading evidence.
Proceedings continue in the Johannesburg High Court.
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