The legal team representing alleged crime boss Vusimuzi Matlala has indicated plans to apply for a trial within a trial to contest the legality of evidence obtained following his arrest.
The application will focus on the seizure of electronic devices and statements made by Matlala, which his lawyers argue were improperly handled.
The defence also claims that recordings retrieved from these devices have already been used by the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where Matlala is a central figure.
The main trial, expected to begin later this year, is set to run for approximately 25 days. Before that, the matter will return to the High Court in May, where the defence may seek to compel the State to disclose additional information.
Matlala is facing charges alongside his wife Tsakane Matlala, as well as alleged hitmen Floyd Mabusela and Musa Kekana, and Kekana’s daughter Nthabiseng Nzama.
The group faces 25 charges, including attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, and money laundering linked to three separate incidents.
Defence advocate Annelene van den Heever has raised concerns about the handling of the electronic evidence, alleging that key information may have been deleted from the devices.
She referenced testimony from Andrea Johnson, who reportedly told a parliamentary committee that an expert had identified missing data from one of the seized phones.
The defence argues that these concerns highlight the need for full disclosure, as questions remain over how the devices were handled and whether all relevant information has been preserved.
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