For the first time, allegations have surfaced in court linking controversial businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe to the illicit drug trade and connecting him to a string of high-profile murders, including those of DJ Sumbody and DJ Vintos.
Molefe appeared at the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for his formal bail application.
He was arrested last month by the Gauteng-based police task team that investigates politically motivated killings. Molefe faces several serious charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Three other men accused alongside him — Musa Kekana, Michael Pule Tau, and Floyd Mabusela — have opted not to apply for bail.
According to the state, Molefe played a central role in the November 2022 murder of popular music artist DJ Sumbody, whose real name was Oupa John Sefoka.
Sefoka was killed in a shooting in Woodmead, Johannesburg, along with his two bodyguards, Sibusiso Mokoena and Sandile Myeza.
State prosecutor Khethokwakhe Ngubane read an affidavit from the lead investigating officer in court, stating that Molefe is considered a threat to public safety.
The state argued against bail, citing evidence including cellphone records and WhatsApp messages which allegedly show that Molefe communicated with Tau and Mabusela shortly after DJ Sumbody’s murder.
The digital records also suggest Molefe was responsible for arranging payments to the individuals believed to have carried out the hit.
Ngubane further revealed that the investigating officers assigned to the case are under 24-hour protection due to concerns for their safety.
He added that public concern is mounting, pointing to a widely circulated social media video that warns against the possibility of Molefe being granted bail.
Ballistic reports and police statements indicate that the same AK-47 rifle used in the killing of DJ Sumbody was also used in three other murders: those of DJ Vintos, Armand Swart, and Don Tindleni.
This was confirmed last week by South African Police Service spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, who addressed the media outside court.
DJ Vintos, whose real name was Hector Buthelezi, was shot and killed outside a nightclub in Orlando East in March 2022. Don Tindleni was murdered in March 2023 on the N1 highway near the N17 offramp.
Armand Swart, a known whistleblower, was killed in April 2024 in what authorities believe may have been a case of mistaken identity. Investigators believe that the same group of suspects is linked to all four killings.
Defending Molefe, advocate Michael Hellens SC argued that his client had previously been granted bail by the High Court in a separate case involving Swart’s murder, establishing a legal precedent.
In his affidavit, Molefe recounted details of his recent arrest, alleging that police officers arrived in an armoured Nyala vehicle and began damaging his gate before he opened it voluntarily.
He described his personal circumstances, stating that he has been estranged from his wife since 2020 and is currently in an unstable relationship. Molefe also said he operates several businesses and earns around 200,000 rand per month.
He owns a 17 million rand property in Sandhurst and another valued at 3 million rand in Winchester, according to his affidavit. To cover legal expenses, he claimed to have sold several of his vehicles.
Molefe acknowledged a past conviction for importing cannabis into the United Kingdom under a false identity about 20 years ago, for which he was deported and banned from re-entering the country.
Despite this, he argued that he does not pose a flight risk and has no intention of interfering with the ongoing investigation.
The court has postponed the bail hearing to 15 August, when Molefe’s legal team is expected to submit his responding affidavit and present further arguments.
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