SIGH of relief on the face of Vuzimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala as his testimony to the Madlanga Commission postponed until September 1, 2026.
Looking dapper in black suit, Matlala also took notes during the proceedings, at some stage resembling a pensive mood.
After the back and forth between Matlala’s lawyer and Commission’s legal team, it was decided the hearing be postponed.
Matlala’s legal team brought a successful, but persuasive postponement bid at the Madlanga Commission ahead of his trial that begins on Monday July 20, on the 2023 attempted murder of his then girlfriend Tebogo Thobejane, an actress.
Although the commission was unhappy with the postponement bid, his very convincing criminal lawyer Annelene Van Heerden, had indicated his client may have not being privy to some information thus could ‘implicate himself’ and amongst others, accessing his client at prison was compromised and requested the Commission to intervene.
“We believe that’s he’s got the constitutional right to attend this trial and be regarded as innocent. Together with the other constitutional rights that we’ve dealt with in this particular affidavit,” addressed Van Heerden, one of respected criminal lawyers in the country.
He’s facing trial and don’t want to add more baggage on him, she pointed out.
Matlala has been implicated before the Commission over multimillion-rand MedicareTshwane District SAPS tender, alleged disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and the Ekurhuleni blue lights saga.
Matlala also withdrew from his plea and sentencing agreement this week, after a Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court magistrate rejected his initial eight-year sentence in favour of a 12-year jail term.
Because of the rejection by Matlala for harsher sentence, the agreement collapsed and he reverted to being the primary accused alongside other senior police officials.
What initiated the sudden change of heart still remains a mystery- external influence perhaps, its unclear.
A sigh of relief- but only just.
Image (Vusi Matlala’s testimony postponed until September 1, as he prepares for trial from July 20.)
