The Johannesburg High Court has ruled that businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala and his co-accused Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela may receive visits from friends and family on Saturdays for the duration of their trial.

The order followed submissions by defence advocates, who explained that the accused had been unable to receive visitors because correctional facilities only permit visits during weekday working hours, while the accused have been attending court throughout the week.Judge Cassim Moosa directed correctional services to facilitate the visits, subject to the department's normal regulations.

The five accused, including Matlala's wife Tsakani Matlala and Nthabiseng Zandile Nzama, who remain out on bail, have pleaded not guilty to 25 charges, including 11 counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, money laundering, and firearms-related offences.

The State alleges Matlala orchestrated three separate shootings between August 2022 and January 2024, targeting taxi boss Joe 'Ferrari' Sibanyoni, actress Tebogo Thobejane and music producer Seunkie 'DJ Vetteys' Mokubung.

During the first week of proceedings, security guard Bethuel Mzamo Cele testified about the Centurion Golf Estate shooting, describing the incident as 'almost like war' and becoming visibly emotional while recalling the events.

The court also dealt with disputes over the admissibility of video footage and defence photographs of the crime scene, as well as objections concerning the accused being brought to court in leg irons.

On Friday, proceedings shifted to a trial within a trial after Kekana challenged the legality of his arrest, searches and the seizure of evidence, arguing that admitting the evidence would result in an unfair trial.The matter will continue on Monday with further evidence.