WATCH | ‘Stop shouting and screaming’: Chaos erupts after Cat Matlala trial adjourned

Johannesburg – Chaos erupted at the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday after the trial of alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused was adjourned, with the defence accusing court security and members of the Political Killings Task Team of preventing lawyers from consulting their clients. 

The dramatic scenes unfolded after Judge Cassim Moosa postponed the trial-within-a-trial to Thursday. 

According to The Sowetan, Kekana’s lawyer, Advocate Riaan Gissing, told the court that his client had allegedly been pushed and pulled by officials while being taken to the cells. 

“Some members of the task team and those in uniform intervened, interjected and ordered accused number one to go downstairs,” Gissing said. 

He described the incident as a “blatant refusal” to allow the defence access to Kekana, saying lawyers needed to consult their clients to protect their right to a fair trial. 

Matlala’s lawyer, Advocate Annelene van der Heever, also raised concerns about the confrontation. 

“I think your Lordship was in court when you heard me banging against the stairs to get them to stop shouting and screaming and bring the accused back so this matter can be dealt with,” she said. 

Vusimuzu Cat Matlala is tired of acting composed, while the lawyers are finishing his money pic.twitter.com/Gi0WCyRnMi

— Mnyamani (@Zikamnyamane) September 8, 2026

Van der Heever described the aggression as unnecessary, saying there had previously been no problems with lawyers consulting their clients. 

Judge Moosa acknowledged the disruption, saying it appeared that “some sort and form of pandemonium” had broken out in the court. 

He subsequently ordered that the accused’s legal representatives must be allowed to consult with their clients whenever the court adjourns before 4pm. 

Moosa warned that anyone who unreasonably interfered with the arrangement could face further action and that such conduct could potentially amount to contempt of court. 

The confrontation came on the same day the court ruled that affidavits submitted by Kekana during his bail application were admissible as evidence in the trial. 

The affidavits relate to Kekana’s bail proceedings following his arrest in connection with the April 2024 killing of engineer Armand Swart, SABC News reported. 

The State had sought to introduce the affidavits as part of its case, while the defence challenged their admissibility. 

The State’s case was also delayed after the defence introduced new evidence concerning the location of police vehicles on the day Kekana was arrested. 

WATCH | Chaos erupted at the Johannesburg High Court after proceedings involving Musa Kekana and Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala were postponed to September 10.
Kekana allegedly broke into a scuffle with court police and those transporting the accused, while Matlala appeared angry with… pic.twitter.com/JtGpTIkpqc

— Sowetan (@Sowetan1981) September 8, 2026

Prosecutor Elizabeth le Roux told the court she needed 48 hours to assess the new information and determine whether an additional witness should be called. 

This meant the State could no longer close its case as initially planned. 

The courtroom drama was captured on video and circulated on social media, showing the disruption involving the accused after proceedings were adjourned. 

Matlala, Kekana and their co-accused face 25 charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, money laundering and attempted murder relating to alleged attacks on Matlala’s former girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, and businessman Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni. 

The accused have not been convicted of the charges against them and remain entitled to the presumption of innocence. 

The trial is expected to resume on Thursday. 

Picture: Screengrab

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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi

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