By Johnathan Paoli
The Madlanga Commission has postponed the testimony of alleged criminal kingpin and attempted murder accused Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala until next week after his legal team requested more time to finalise his witness statement.
Matlala, who had been subpoenaed to appear before the commission on Tuesday, appeared briefly via video link, while his legal representative, Advocate Anneline van den Heever, appeared in person before the commission.
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Evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello applied for the subpoena to be extended until 15 July.
Sello told the commission that ongoing engagements between investigators and Matlala’s legal team had revealed that the witness statement required under the commission’s regulations had not yet been completed.
“Mr. Matlala was served with a subpoena to appear to give his testimony today on the 7th. Over a period of time, the evidence leaders have been in engagement with his legal advisors,” Sello said.
She said that Matlala’s response to the commission’s Regulation 10.6 notice remained outstanding despite an earlier extension.
“The position we find ourselves in is that his statement in response to the notice, the Regulation 10.6 notice that was due is not ready and an extension was requested, which was granted due to other difficulties. It could not be completed in time,” she said.
Sello said the commission was also still preparing the documentary evidence that would form part of the hearing.
“Where we are now is we still don’t have the statement, and we are still in the process of compiling the exhibit bundle. In light of where we are and the rollovers that happened from last week impacting this week, we appear before you today to request a postponement and an extension of that subpoena to a new date on which he then will appear to testify,” she said.
Van den Heever told the commission that Matlala did not oppose the postponement and said both sides had worked cooperatively to resolve the scheduling issues.
She thanked the commission’s legal team for accommodating the request.
“We agree that the new date that’s been arranged is the 15th. We are indebted to my learned friend and her colleagues for arranging this with us. I’ve got no objection to the subpoena being extended to the 15th,” she said.
Before the postponement was formalised, Sello informed the commission that the parties had reached agreement on when Matlala’s written statement would be delivered.
“The parties are now agreed that Mr. Matlala’s statement will be submitted tomorrow, the 8th of July,” she said.
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Van den Heever confirmed the agreement but said her client reserved the right to supplement his statement if additional documentation became available.
She said the defence was still attempting to obtain material it regarded as important to addressing some of the issues before the commission.
Delivering the ruling, Commission Chair Mbuyiseli Madlanga granted the application and issued two clear directives to Matlala.
“Mr. Matlala, the hearing of your testimony is postponed to 15 July 2026. That’s one. Two, your statement must be filed by tomorrow,” Madlanga said.
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