JOHANNESBURG - Over the last three days, Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala faced tough questions at the Madlanga Commission.
But throughout his testimony, the alleged underworld boss refused to answer some questions, citing his right against self-incrimination.
A crime expert, Professor Dee Khosa, says there must be a balance between his rights and attempts to get satisfactory answers.
"The right is important and it must be respected, especially because he's facing criminal charges. But it's a shield, not a menu where he picks the questions that he likes.
“It really becomes a problem when he points fingers at others, but goes quiet about his own role and the role that he has played in the entire scenario. Because then the commission only gets half of the story.”
Khosa said the commission must check that each refusal is genuine and not just convenient.
“So, where he won't talk, documents and other witnesses must fill the gap. His silence also tells the commission where to dig deeper,” he added.