A doctor has told the Johannesburg High Court that accused number one Musa Kekana was allegedly planning to escape from Edenvale Hospital while under police guard following his arrest.
The evidence has emerged in the high-profile attempted murder and murder trial of alleged underworld kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused.
Dr Ziphelele Mazibuko took the witness stand on Wednesday and testified that hospital staff became increasingly concerned that Kekana could flee the facility, despite being handcuffed.
Mazibuko says the concerns were raised by night-shift staff and members of the public at the hospital, prompting calls for tighter security around the accused.
“The concern was from the night staff and patrons and then they would implement certain checks to check and upscale the security for the night,” Mazibuko testified.
She says staff were worried Kekana could enlist outside help to get out of the hospital.
“How I understand it, the nurses were concerned that the accused would ask people to remove him from the hospital.”
Kekana was admitted to Edenvale Hospital after his arrest in April 2024 in connection with the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart.
He was reportedly coughing up blood when he was brought to the facility for medical treatment.
The evidence forms part of a trial-within-a-trial, where the court is determining whether evidence linked to Kekana’s arrest can be admitted in the main proceedings.
Matlala, Kekana and three other accused face a combined 25 charges, including attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The charges relate to alleged assassination plots and the murder of Swart.
The trial continues in the Johannesburg High Court on Thursday with new witness expected.
