The first witness in the trial of alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his four co-accused has told the Johannesburg High Court that he witnessed two armed suspects open fire on businessman Joe Sibanyoni and his associates in Centurion in 2022.
Matlala faces allegations that he masterminded attempted assassinations targeting Sibanyoni, his former partner Tebogo Thobejane, and music producer Seunkie Mokubung, widely known as DJ Vettys.
Giving evidence in court, security officer Bethwell Cele said he was on duty at the golf estate where the shooting took place when he saw two men approach a parked vehicle and begin firing.
Cele told the court that a vehicle made a U-turn before stopping near a Ferrari and a Golf 7. He said two men then got out, armed with an AK-47 rifle.
According to Cele, the suspects noticed that he had seen them and fired shots in his direction. He said he narrowly escaped being hit by the first bullet.
“Immediately when the car was by the robot it made a U-turn, and it came and parked where there was a Ferrari and Golf 7. Two male people alighted from that vehicle and drew out an AK-47,” Cele told the court.
He said the attackers then turned their attention towards Sibanyoni and his group, firing several shots before fleeing the scene.
The testimony forms part of the state’s case against Matlala and his co-accused, who are facing charges linked to alleged assassination plots involving prominent individuals.
The trial is expected to continue as prosecutors present further evidence in an attempt to prove the allegations against the accused.