The State on Tuesday called its first witness in the attempted murder trial of alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his four co-accused, with a security guard giving dramatic testimony about exchanging gunfire with suspected hitmen armed with AK-47 assault rifles during an alleged attempt on the life of Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni.
Matlala is standing trial alongside his wife Tsakani Matlala, Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela and Zandile Nthabiseng Nzama before the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg. All five have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
The State’s first witness, security guard Bethwell Cele, was on duty at Centurion Golf Estate on the night of 10 August 2022 when Sibanyoni was allegedly ambushed.
Testifying through an interpreter, an emotional Cele told the court he noticed a white BMW driving slowly before it made a U-turn and parked near a red Ferrari and a white Volkswagen Golf 7 inside the estate. Two men allegedly climbed out of the BMW carrying AK-47 assault rifles before opening fire.
Cele testified that the first bullet narrowly missed him after the gunmen realised he had spotted them.
He said he and another security guard ran for cover behind a tree before he drew his service pistol and returned fire.
“I fired five shots,” Cele testified, adding that he believed one of the attackers had been wounded before climbing back into the BMW as it sped away. He also told the court one of the gunmen shouted, “Die, you dog,” while continuing to fire.
At one stage, Cele became visibly emotional while reliving the incident, prompting State Advocate Elize le Roux to pause the proceedings to allow him time to compose himself. Judge Cassim Moosa also urged the witness to take his time before continuing with his evidence.
The proceedings were briefly interrupted when the State attempted to introduce CCTV footage of the alleged attack as evidence.
Lawyers for the defence objected, arguing the footage had not yet been properly authenticated and that admitting it at this stage could prejudice the accused. They argued an expert witness should first verify the footage during a trial within a trial.
Judge Moosa upheld the objection, ruling that the admissibility of the video evidence would first have to be determined through the appropriate legal process before it could be shown in court.
The five accused face 25 charges arising from three separate alleged attempted murder incidents between August 2022 and January 2024.
The charges include conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition, money laundering, fraud and, alternatively, defeating or attempting to defeat the administration of justice.
According to the State’s indictment, the alleged targets were Sibanyoni, actress Tebogo Thobejane and music producer Seunkie “DJ Vettys” Mokubung. The prosecution alleges an AK-47 rifle was used during the attack on Sibanyoni, while several other people were also caught in the hail of gunfire.
The matter was postponed to Wednesday, 22 July 2026, for the continuation of Cele’s cross-examination and for the State to call additional witnesses as the high-profile trial continues.
