By Mapaballo Borotho
- The Johannesburg High Court has heard testimony from the first State witness in the attempted murder case involving Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused.
- Security guard Bethuel Cele described the moments when gunmen allegedly opened fire on taxi boss Joe Ferrari Sibanyoni in 2022.
- Matlala and his co-accused face multiple charges, including attempted murder, fraud and money laundering.
The State’s first witness in the attempted murder case against Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused has given the Johannesburg High Court a detailed account of the 2022 attack that allegedly targeted taxi boss Joe Ferrari Sibanyoni.
Sibanyoni survived an alleged assassination attempt at a Centurion gold estate in 2022. The attack was reportedly ordered by controversial tenderpreneur Cat Matlala, according to the State’s case.
On Tuesday, 21 July 2026, security guard Bethuel Cele told the court that he was on duty on that fateful day of August 2022, when Sibanyoni arrived in a red Ferrari, followed by a Golf 7.
Cele testified that moments later, a white BMW arrived and several gunmen armed with AK-47 assault rifles got out of the vehicle and started shooting.
He told the court that he managed to take cover behind a tree and a concrete planter before drawing his service pistol and opening fire towards the BMW.
Cele said he fired five shots, allegedly injuring one of the attackers, as gunfire was exchanged.
The security guard became emotional while recounting the events of the night when Sibanyoni survived the alleged attempted hit.
Accused in the matter
Matlala is accused of orchestrating the attack, with Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela alleged to have been the hitmen.
Matlala, his wife Tsakani Matlala, Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela and Nthabiseng Nzama face a combined 25 charges, including attempted murder, fraud and money laundering.
The trial continues. For live updates, follow @Kaya News on X.
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