JOHANNESBURG - Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala's legal team is pushing to have him transferred back to Gauteng.
His lawyers say his imprisonment at the Ebongweni supermax prison in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal, is denying him the right to a fair trial.
The alleged Big 5 cartel member is facing 11 charges of attempted murder.
READ: UPDATE | 'Cat Matlala', co-accused pre-trial hearing postponed
Dressed in a navy Dior suit and chained with leg irons, Matlala joined his co-accused in the dock -- his wife Tsakane, two alleged hitmen, Musa Kekana and Floyd Mabusela, and Nthabiseng Nzama.
Before the pre-trial sitting could go ahead, Matlala's lawyers raised a few concerns.
The state added that they were also not consulted on the decision to move Matlala to Kokstad.
READ: Senona denies helping Matlala secure multimillion-rand SAPS tender
The pre-trial sitting has now been put on hold.
Matlala is expected back in court on 6 February.
Correctional Services will now have to explain why Matlala should remain in KwaZulu-Natal or face an urgent application compelling DCS to bring him back to Gauteng.
- Senior reporter Silindelo Sebata has more.