By Palesa Matlala
• Vusimusi Matlala and four co-accused return to court as judges consider claims that Musa Kekana was assaulted and tortured during his arrest.
• Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula wants her corruption case thrown out while another suspect appears over the alleged R635-million Tembisa Hospital tender scandal.
It is a busy Monday for Gauteng’s courts and the Madlanga Commission, with several major cases back in the spotlight.
Alleged underworld figure Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala and four co-accused return to the Johannesburg High Court after a three-week break.
Matlala, his wife Tsakane, Musa Kekana, Floyd Mabusela and Nthabiseng Nzama face 25 charges, including attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Much of the case has focused on a separate hearing about Kekana’s arrest and whether evidence obtained afterwards can be used against him.
Kekana claims police assaulted and tortured him at his Kew home. He also claims police did not read him his rights.
His lawyers are challenging evidence including firearms, ammunition and a stolen vehicle.
Two police witnesses have given conflicting accounts about his arrest.
Medical and paramedic evidence is expected to come under the spotlight as the court looks at Kekana’s assault claims and questions about when and where he received medical treatment.
The outcome could also affect a separate 2022 murder case involving Kekana and Mabusela over the killing of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart.
Matlala’s lawyers have meanwhile told the Madlanga Commission that they plan to challenge his arrest and continued detention.
In Pretoria, former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is trying to have her corruption and money laundering case thrown out.
Her discharge application is expected to be heard in the Pretoria High Court on Monday.
Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of asking Defence Force contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndlhovu for payments between 2016 and 2019, while she was Defence Minister.
Ntsondwa-Ndlhovu and several state witnesses have already testified.
But Mapisa-Nqakula argues that prosecutors have failed to produce enough evidence for the trial against her to continue.
Prosecutors from the Investigating Directorate will oppose the application and argue that she has a case to answer.
At the Madlanga Commission, KwaZulu-Natal Hawks Lieutenant-Colonel Deenadayalan “Deena” Govender returns for cross-examination.
Govender has been linked at the inquiry to claims involving several police shootings in KwaZulu-Natal.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate investigator Len John previously claimed Govender received millions of rands in suspicious payments, including money said to be linked to the killing of Durban tow-truck operator Bevan Loftus.
Govender has denied the claims.
The commission rejected his request to have parts of his evidence heard behind closed doors.
However, he will not have to identify witnesses linked to the suspected theft of cocaine from the Hawks’ Port Shepstone offices or reveal specific police investigation and intelligence methods.
Another major corruption case will play out at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting at Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court.
A 37-year-old man arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday is expected to appear on charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering.
His arrest forms part of the investigation into alleged R635-million tender fraud at Tembisa Hospital.
The Hawks claim hospital officials worked with service providers to manipulate the procurement system.
Investigators claim transactions were deliberately kept below R500,000 to avoid formal tender processes.
The wider investigation includes claims of fraud, corruption, forgery, money laundering and breaches of public finance laws.
Pictured above: Gauteng courts and the Madlanga Commission will hear several major criminal and corruption matters on Monday.
Image source: Palesa Matlala.
