Five things you need to know about ongoing ‘Cat’ Matlala trial

One of the police officers present on the day Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala’s co-accused, Musa Kekana, was arrested for the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart gave his testimony, virtually, on Friday.

Sgt Mayisela Ledwaba told the Johannesburg high court about the events of that day in April 2024, as the trial-within-a-trial in the case against alleged underworld figure Matlala and four others continues.

Kekana is challenging the admissibility of evidence obtained following his arrest. His version is that police assaulted him and failed to properly explain his constitutional rights.

Kekana, Matlala, his wife Tsakane, Kekana’s daughter Nthabiseng Nzama and Floyd Mabusela are facing 25 charges, including attempted murder.

The charges stem from high-profile plots targeting Matlala’s former partner, actress Tebogo Thobejane, taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and music producer Seunkie “DJ Vettys” Mokubung.

The trial-within-a-trial is to determine whether information gathered following Kekana’s arrest for Swart’s murder can be used in the current case before court.

Here are five things to know about what was revealed in court: