The trial for Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a suspected underworld figure, continued on Tuesday in the Johannesburg High Court. A security officer gave detailed testimony regarding the attempted murder of taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni.
Bethuel Cele, a security officer from Bidvest Protea Security, shared his account from the night of August 10, 2022, when he was fired upon while on duty at Centurion Golf Estate. He recounted returning fire with his 9mm service pistol after gunmen with AK-47 rifles allegedly ambushed Sibanyoni shortly after he arrived.
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Matlala, his wife Tsakane Matlala, Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, and Nthabiseng Nzama face 25 charges, including the attempted murders of Sibanyoni, media personality Tebogo Thobejane, and musician Austin “DJ Vettys” Mokobung. All defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Key Revelations in Cat Matlala Trial Regarding Joe Sibanyoni’s Attack
Cele, who boasts nearly 20 years of experience in security, testified that he was stationed just after 10pm when a red Ferrari entered the estate, closely followed by a Volkswagen Golf 7.
He mentioned that a white BMW moving slowly through the estate caught his attention.
“The left-side window was slightly rolled down. The BMW went by, did a U-turn at the traffic lights, and returned. It then halted near the Ferrari and Golf 7, at which point two armed men emerged with AK-47 rifles,” he recounted.
“As soon as they got out, they realized I had noticed them. The first shot was directed at me.”
Cele detailed how he and fellow officer Francis Mazibuko swiftly sought cover behind a nearby tree as gunfire erupted around them.
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While taking cover, Mazibuko reminded him of his firearm, emphasizing that they needed to respond to the attack.
Security Officer Describes Gunfight in Cat Matlala Trial
The court learned that Cele drew his 9mm service pistol and returned fire at the assailants, emptying all 15 rounds during the encounter.
Cele believed he had hit one of the attackers.
“I could see he had been shot in the stomach. His intestines were visible as he climbed back into the BMW through the window,” he recalled.
He observed another gunman continuing to fire at the occupants of the Ferrari and the Volkswagen Golf as the shootout continued.
“One of them shouted, ‘Die, you dog,’ before opening fire again. I was lying on my stomach while shooting back.”
Cele indicated that several individuals in the Ferrari and Golf managed to escape further into the estate to evade the gunfire.
He stated that the attackers eventually fled in the white BMW, leaving behind a chaotic scene.
Defense Questions Witness in Cat Matlala Trial
During cross-examination, defense attorney Riaan Gissing questioned Cele about the forensic evidence collected after the shooting.
Gissing pointed out that if Cele had indeed fired all 15 rounds, investigators should have recovered 15 spent cartridges and corresponding bullets.
Cele acknowledged this and noted that police had processed the scene before securing his firearm for ballistic testing.
“I returned the firearm to my manager, who stored it in a safe. The police subsequently collected it for analysis,” he explained.
Gissing also cited a previous police statement where Cele noted that only two suspects exited the BMW.
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“I saw three suspects inside the BMW, yet only two exited during the shooting,” Gissing read out in court.
Cele maintained that there was no discrepancy in his account.
“The two got out first and began shooting. After the vehicle stopped, the third person also exited and opened fire,” he clarified.
Tensions rose as Nthabiseng Nzama’s lawyer, Advocate Timothy Chauke, criticized Cele’s responses regarding the collection of ballistic evidence.
Chauke objected after Cele stated that whether the police recovered his bullets was “none of my business”.
“While I wouldn’t label the statement as derogatory, I find it disrespectful, especially given the context. This witness seeks respect; he should also offer it,” Chauke conveyed in court.
Cele dismissed the critique, explaining that the misunderstanding arose from his use of isiZulu during his testimony.
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“I indicated from the start that I wished to testify in Zulu. Now, while I’m providing evidence in Zulu, some may become confused,” Cele elaborated.
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