Attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has challenged the accuracy of his Section 204 affidavit before the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria.
Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act provides for a witness to be indemnified from prosecution for offences disclosed in their evidence, subject to certain conditions.
Matlala alleges that Investigating Directorate Against Corruption investigators Dylan Perumal, Suneel Bellochun and Brian Padyachee were involved in drafting the statement, which he claims contained exaggerations and information he did not provide.
He further alleges that investigators pressured him to become a state witness, offering him favourable treatment in exchange for his cooperation.
He was being led in evidence by Advocate Adila Hassim.
“Mr Perumal, Mr Padyaj, and Mr Belucham. And how did they compel you to do this, to sign it? Not compelling me to use violence, but they said it’s either this. Firstly, what they said is the trial that you’re facing in the High Court is going to take up to five years. So choose. You should spend five years somewhere in witness protection in a house with your family, or you want to spend it awaiting trial.”