MK Party pledges sustained pressure in Vusimuzi Matlala criminal case
As Vusi “Cat” Matlala’s case gains national traction, the MK Party has committed to sustained public mobilisation throughout the trial, putting pressure on the justice system to be accountable.
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has vowed to put pressure on the criminal justice system following the court appearance of businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and his co-accused at the Alexandra Magistrate Court on July 11.
The two face charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering, stemming from an alleged assassination attempt on Matlala’s former partner, actress Tebogo Thobejane, in 2023.
Speaking on the sidelines, MK Gauteng spokesperson Abel Tau expressed concern over procedural lapses in the case, noting that the defence is relying on loopholes in how the state is handling the case.
During the court proceedings, the defence argued that Matlala’s bank statements were accessed, but they did not get a Section 205 subpoena for those statements.
Also read: Watch | Alexandra Magistrate’s court postpones case against Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and co-accused
“They have spoken about Section 205, whether or not it’s there, and you would know that if it is not there, it means the evidence collected may not be admissible in court because it might have been collected illegally,” Tau stressed.
He also expressed concerns about the alleged collection of evidence in the absence of legal representation. This followed the defence’s argument that while Matlala signed a consent form granting permission for his cellphone to be accessed, this was done in the absence of his attorney.
“They have questioned the collection of the evidence of the accused in the absence of their lawyer, which, for me again, is an elementary mistake the NPA should not be doing… We cannot afford to have the NPA found wanting when dealing with alleged criminals of this stature,” he shared.
He stressed that the state needs to use this opportunity to set a precedent on how it fights against violent crime in South Africa. The MK Party vowed to maintain pressure throughout the trial. Tau confirmed that they will come in numbers on the next court date on August 26.
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