Case against murder-accused Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala temporarily adjourned

The case of alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has been adjourned after the State requested more time to investigate representations linked to accused number five - Nthabiseng Nzama.

Senior prosecutor Elize Le Roux told the court there are still outstanding representations from the defence, and that additional time is needed to properly consider new submissions.

But Judge William Karam wants pretrial hearings for accused who are ready to go ahead.

However, defence advocate Anneline van der Heever is not happy.

She argues that the State is deliberately frustrating her clients

Van der Heever added that the matter cannot proceed to a pre-trial hearing, while the State has not disclosed outstanding documents.

Five accused are facing a total of 25 charges, including money laundering and 11 counts of attempted murder.

“This is now punishment for us wanting to exercise our constitutional rights by asking for documents that we are not only entitled to but… I am really quite astonished that the State cannot deal with the request we have made of documents I expect to be in the State docket.”

Van der Heever has confirmed that Tsakane Matlala, accused number four, will no longer be making representations to have the charges against her dropped.

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