Matlala co-accused says police suffocated him with a bag in South Africa
Vusimuzi “Keta” Matlala’s co-accused, Musa Kekana, told the Johannesburg High Court in South Africa that during his detention in April 2024, police officers beat him, tied him with a belt and repeatedly put a plastic bag over his head, causing him to suffocate. TimesLIVE reports.
Kekana’s testimony
Kekana testified during a separate hearing in the case. The court must determine the legality of his arrest on April 17, 2024, and decide whether materials obtained following subsequent searches and seizures may be admitted as evidence.
According to Kekana, that morning he left his home in the Kew area with Michael Pule Tau to help an acquaintance who had a problem with a car tire. On 8th Road, Kekana claims, police vehicles arrived with sirens and flashing lights on. They were ordered to get out of the car, raise their hands and lie on the grass.
Kekana said Captain Phumi Sekgobela addressed him by name, searched him and put him in handcuffs. After that, according to Kekana’s account, he was placed in the trunk of a white Toyota Fortuner and taken to a house on 5th Road.
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Claims of searches and violence
Kekana told the court that he did not give permission to search the vehicles or his home, and that his rights were not explained to him. He claimed that at the house, Sekgobela demanded information about firearms. Kekana denied knowing anything about them.
He also alleged that a police officer covered him with a blanket and threatened him, after which he was beaten. According to Kekana, in the living room he was placed face down on the floor, with his hands and feet tied using his belt. He said Sekgobela pressed a knee into his back and put a bag over his head three or four times.
Kekana, Matlala, Matlala’s wife Tsakane Matlala, Thiego Floyd Mabusela and Matlala’s daughter Ntabiseng Nzama face 25 charges. These include conspiracy to commit murder, money laundering and attempted murders of actress and Matlala’s former girlfriend Tebogo Thobejane, as well as taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni.
