JOHANNESBURG - Claims of police brutality have emerged in the trial within a trial in the attempted murder case against Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala and others.
Alleged hitman Musa Kekana has claimed that law enforcement officers viciously assaulted and suffocated him during his arrest in a desperate attempt to locate firearms tied to a string of high-profile hit jobs.
Kekana is challenging the admissibility of evidence obtained during his arrest in April 2024.
READ: 'Cat' Matlala trial: Court scrutinises arresting officer's diary
According to Kekana, police tortured him in pursuit of weapons linked to the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart.
The same firearms are allegedly connected to a series of botched assassination attempts targeted at businessman Joe Sibanyoni, DJ Vettys, and Vusimuzi Matlala's former lover, Tebogo Thobejane.
State witness Captain Phimi Sekgobela rejected Kekana’s claims, maintaining that Kekana was fully cooperative. He says an ambulance was called when Kekana began coughing up blood.
READ: 'Cat' Matlala Trial | Police captain denies assault claims in Kekana's arrest
Kekana also denies being the owner of the Hyundai i20 found on his property that had the firearms.
The defence included Kekana's medical record as evidence.
Cross-examination continues on Friday with Sekgobela back in the witness box.
- eNCA's Silindelo Sebata reports.