The High Court in Johannesburg continued the cross-examination of state witness Bethwell Cele on 23 July in the case against alleged criminal syndicate leader Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and four co-accused, who face 25 charges linked to failed assassination attempts on taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni, his former girlfriend Tebogo Thobejane, and music producer DJ Vettys between August 2022 and January 2024, according to official court proceedings.

Defence Focuses On Credibility And Event Details

The defence, led by lawyer Nardus Grove, challenged Cele’s account of the August 2022 incident at Centurion Golf Estate, where Cele claimed armed men in a white BMW opened fire on Sibanyoni and his entourage. The court admitted a Google Maps image and photographs taken by Grove, aiming to scrutinise the positioning of vehicles and the movements described by Cele.

During his testimony, Cele told the court, “Immediately when it [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 [got out] from that vehicle and drew out an AK-47, and they saw that I spotted them and saw them and [shots were fired towards my direction]… I was missed by the first bullet.” The defence questioned inconsistencies between Cele’s statements and these images, and raised issues around his current employment with a company linked to Sibanyoni, details Cele previously omitted in earlier testimony.

Timeline And Implications Of The Trial

This high-profile case centres on alleged orchestrated attacks targeting figures in the taxi industry and entertainment sector, with the attempted assassination of Sibanyoni on 10 August 2022 forming a major focus of the prosecution’s evidence. Proceedings to date have featured forensic examination of testimonies and supporting materials, with the cross-examination of Cele set to remain critical in evaluating the credibility of the state’s case.

The court has emphasised the need for clear and consistent accounts as the trial continues. Further testimony and cross-examination are expected in the days ahead as the defence continues to test the veracity of the evidence presented.