An assault rifle and two pistols seized in connection with controversial businessmen Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Katiso “KT” Molefe have been forensically linked to 18 murder and attempted murder cases, including the high profile killings of several well known figures.
Police confirmed outside the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday that the weapons in custody, one AK47 and two pistols, were connected to a series of violent crimes.
These include the murders of DJ Sumbody and his two bodyguards in Woodmead in November 2022, DJ Vintos in Orlando East in March 2022, businessman Don Tindleni in March 2023, and Armand Swart in April 2024. The attempted murder of Centurion taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni has also been tied to the same AK47.
Investigators revealed that one of the pistols seized is linked to the attempted murder of DJ Vetties, adding to the growing list of crimes associated with the firearms. The number of confirmed links has risen from 10 to 18 cases.
Despite these findings, the rifle allegedly used in the attempted murder of actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane, Matlala’s former girlfriend, has not been recovered.
Matlala, 49, was denied bail on Wednesday. He faces charges of attempted murder, money laundering, and other serious offences, alongside his wife Tsakane and three co accused.
The State argued successfully that he posed a flight risk, citing his alleged ownership of a private jet, offshore assets in Mauritius, and possession of a fraudulent Eswatini identity document. Records show he travelled to Eswatini at least three times using the document, which carried a different surname.
The killings linked to the firearms all bear a striking similarity, with victims gunned down in a hail of bullets.
DJ Sumbody and his bodyguards were ambushed in Woodmead, DJ Vintos was shot outside a nightclub, Tindleni was killed while driving on the N1 near the N17 offramp, and Swart’s death is believed to have been a case of mistaken identity.
Three alleged hitmen, Musa Kekana, Michael Pule Tau and Floyd Mabusela, are already facing charges relating to these murders. Initially charged in connection with Tindleni’s killing, they have since been linked to the deaths of DJs Sumbody and Vintos as well.
Police say ballistic reports and other evidence now firmly connect the seized firearms to multiple murders and attempted murders, marking a major breakthrough in a string of unsolved cases.
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