Matlala’s application to be heard at Midday: Madlanga

Madlanga Commission of Inquiry Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga has ruled that the application brought by businessman and attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala will be heard at midday on Monday.

The ruling follows a request by Matlala’s legal counsel, Advocate Fatima Missi, for the matter to stand down until Tuesday, citing challenges encountered while consulting with him at the Kgosi Mampuru C-Max Correctional Centre over the weekend.

Matlala’s application concerns the protection of his constitutional rights during his testimony before the Commission.

Missi detailed the logistical and security-related difficulties the legal team faced in accessing and consulting with him while in custody.

She says, “So my instructions right now, having considered the fact that we are constantly being hit with ‘umthetho awuvumi’ (the law does not allow), you cannot do this or that and we have to try and navigate the systems where ordinarily a layperson not sitting in this commission would think well these individuals are incompetent or maybe perhaps they’re trying to represent Mr Matlala because he is not an ordinary witness that you have access to at 12 am in the morning or at 3 am in the morning.

We don’t have that liberty before us.” Evidence leader Advocate Adila Hassim says an affidavit that Matlala’s legal team has submitted was filed 45 minutes late on Saturday.

She says this is despite Madlanga’s strict deadlines on all submissions.

Hassan says, “We have filed what I was answering affidavit and heads of argument.

We’ve received nothing from my learned friend, and we’ve not received a condemnation application or a disbursement application.” LIVE STREAM | Madlanga Commission of Inquiry: