Court halts CCTV footage in Matlala trial as witness describes horror scene
Proceedings in the trial of alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala were briefly halted in the Johannesburg High Court after the judge upheld a defence objection to CCTV footage linked to the attempted murder of businessman Joe Sibanyoni.
On Tuesday, Judge Cassim Moosa ruled that the State would not be allowed to present the video evidence without first proving its authenticity.
"I'm not going to allow the video footage to be led without the authentication. The objection raised by counsel in respect of the leading of the video footage at this stage of the proceedings is sustained."
He told the prosecution it could either call a witness to authenticate the footage, continue with other evidence, or recall the current witness at a later stage.
The ruling followed an objection by defence lawyer Advocate Riaan Gissing, representing accused number 1 Musa Kekana, who argued that the origin and integrity of the video had not been established.
"We don’t know where the video evidence originates from; the authenticity as well as the originality have to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt before it can be admitted."
The development came as the State's first witness, security guard Bethwell Cele, continued his testimony about the events of 10 August 2022, when Sibanyoni was shot outside the Centurion Country Club.
READ: Joe Sibanyoni to be first witness in alleged hitmen trial involving Matlala
Cele, who was on duty at the golf estate at the time, told the court he witnessed the aftermath of the shooting and saw one of the victims seriously injured.
He testified that the injured man, believed to have been an occupant of a white car, had visible internal injuries.
Cele said he could not confirm whether any of the alleged attackers, who he previously testified arrived in a white BMW and opened fire with AK-47 rifles, were wounded during the incident.
Matlala and his co-accused face charges linked to three alleged contract killing attempts targeting Sibanyoni, media personality Tebogo Thobejane and musician Austin “DJ Vettys” Mokobung.
Matlala, Musa Kekana and Floyd Mabusela have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder.
Matlala, Mabusela and Nthabiseng Nzama have also pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges, while Matlala's wife, Tsakane Matlala, has denied a charge of accessory after the fact to attempted murder.
The trial continues.
