Telling it like Matela

Muckraker has attended many court cases since she got her first press card more than a decade ago. Her mission is not to write stories but to understand the fascinating art of lying.

It is in those cases that you appreciate the raw talent of humans for telling raw lies.

They walk into the dock, raise their right hand, put the left on a Bible and swear to tell nothing but the truth.

Then they calmly deposit themselves in the chair and begin to emit brazen lies.

This week Muckraker attended one of the most surreal court cases in her life.

It was the case of Qamo Matela, a Mabote man charged with the murder of his wife, (’Mahlompho Matela) in 2021.

Matela denied everything. He didn’t surrender himself to the police but went there to hide from an angry mob, he said. He didn’t make a statement to the police.

He did not talk to the police. The statement he is alleged to have signed is a fabrication.

He was forced to sign the statement.

He didn’t talk to his wife’s doctor in Bloemfontein.

The doctor didn’t tell him anything. Muckraker is not qualified to accuse Matela of telling tall tales. What is clear is that the man was on a roll.

He could have denied even that he was a man and a Mosotho.

He could reject the fact that Monday comes after Sunday.

The man was denying, denying and denying.

Prosecutor: Is your name Qamo Matela?

Matela: No.

Prosecutor: But we have an ID showing that you are Qamo Matela.

Matela: I am denying it. Maybe you got that information from the ID.

Prosecutor: But the ID is yours?

Matela: I am not sure. There are many Qamo Matelas.

Prosecutor: Are you in this court right now?

Matela: Well, I would have to say no because I am not even sure that I am me.

This can go on for several days but Matela will never say “yes”.

Notice that Muckraker is not saying Matela was lying because it’s not her place to judge.

Readers are however free to do as they please with this information.

Nka! Ichuuuuuuuuuuu!

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