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JUST IN: DJ Sumbody murder: Katiso ‘KT' Molefe remains behind bars as bail denied

JUST IN: DJ Sumbody murder: Katiso ‘KT' Molefe remains behind bars as bail denied

The Citizen11 hours ago
The state argued that Molefe is a dangerous individual with another pending murder case and alleged deep criminal connections.
Controversial businessman Katiso 'KT' Molefe will remain behind bars after his bid for bail failed on Wednesday.
Molefe appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court, accused of being the mastermind behind the murder of South African artist Oupa John 'DJ Sumbody' Sefoka.
He had previously argued that being charged with murder should not automatically disqualify him from being granted bail.
The judge disagreed and sided with the state's argument that Molefe is a dangerous individual with alleged deep criminal connections.
At the time of his arrest for Sefoka's killing, Molefe was out on R100 000 bail in another murder case.
The court had heard how Molefe is allegedly involved in the illicit drug trade, while he has also been implicated in several alleged dodgy tenders and corrupt business dealings.
This is a developing story.
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Top 10 stories of the day: KT Molefe denied bail
Top 10 stories of the day: KT Molefe denied bail

The Citizen

timean hour ago

  • The Citizen

Top 10 stories of the day: KT Molefe denied bail

Here's your daily news update for Wednesday, 20 August 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes controversial businessman Katiso 'KT' Molefe will remain behind bars after his bid for bail failed on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Parliament's Police Portfolio Committee Chairperson Ian Cameron and two other DA members fell victim to an attempted hijacking in Cape Town. Furthermore, Kaya FM has suspended broadcaster Sol Phenduka with immediate effect. Weather tomorrow: 21 August 2025 Extremely high fire danger conditions are expected in all provinces except Gauteng and the Western Cape. There will be rough seas between the Western Cape and the Northern Cape, but conditions will be mostly warm nationwide. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. DJ Sumbody murder: Katiso 'KT' Molefe remains behind bars as bail denied Controversial businessman Katiso 'KT' Molefe will remain behind bars after his bid for bail failed on Wednesday. Molefe appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court to hear the outcome of his bail application. Controversial businessman Katiso Molefe appears for bail application at the Alexandra Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg on 6 August 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda /The Citizen The alleged mastermind was arrested alongside three hitmen in connection with the murder of South African artist Oupa John Sefoka, widely known as DJ Sumbody. CONTINUE READING: DJ Sumbody murder: Katiso 'KT' Molefe remains behind bars as bail denied De Lille dissolves SA Tourism board – but Outa calls her decision 'disgraceful' Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has dissolved the SA Tourism board with immediate effect over what she called unlawful decisions. 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No bail for accused mastermind behind DJ Sumbody's murder
No bail for accused mastermind behind DJ Sumbody's murder

The South African

time2 hours ago

  • The South African

No bail for accused mastermind behind DJ Sumbody's murder

Katiso Molefe. Image: YouTube Screenshot via SABC News Home » No bail for accused mastermind behind DJ Sumbody's murder Katiso Molefe. Image: YouTube Screenshot via SABC News Murder-accused Katiso 'KT' Molefe, charged with the killing of Oupa Sefoka, also known as DJ Sumbody, and his two bodyguards, was denied bail on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, at the Alexandra Magistrate's Court. Magistrate Reneir Boshoff delivered a 12-minute bail judgment where he listed a slew of reasons and concerns why Molefe was denied bail. Molefe is alleged to have plotted the execution-style murder the of DJ Sumbody who was killed on 22 November 22 together with his two bodyguards, Sibusiso Mokoena and Sandile Myeza. He was murdered following a performance at News Café in Woodmead, Johannesburg. It's alleged Molefe and DJ Sumbody were feuding over a multimillion-rand drug deal around the time the music producer was gunned down. Boshoff cited other pending cases and convictions against Molefe including the killing of Philip Swap in April 2024 and the pending murder case of DJ Sumbody together with three other accused. He further highlighted incidents of drug dealing and fraud committed by the accused. 'It is significant he was convicted of drug trafficking in the UK for the possession of cannabis. He was charged with fraud related to his stay in the UK. 'What is really concerning is that he used a fake passport with an alias, David Tabbor Leita. While this may have happened way back in 2004, it raises concern about what the applicant is capable of,' said Boshoff. Boshoff alluded to Molefe being a flight risk when expressing concern over the large bank deposits into Molefe's business bank account. This, he said, points to a source of income. 'The applicant suggest that the State's case against him is extremely weak and circumstantial by nature. It is true that the evidence against the applicant because of his role in the killings will be distant as he was not physically present during the (killing). The absence of direct evidence does not mean that an inference of guilt can't be deducted,' said Boshoff. The magistrate indicated that contact between Molefe and three other accused in this murder case, via WhatApp and cellphone communication formed part of the evidence in the State's case against Molefe. The magistrate further commented on the allegations by the State of Molefe paying the three accused large sums of cash following DJ Sumbody's murder. 'The cellphone records after these so-called hits between the respective accused are indeed very interesting. Accused one frantically trying to reach the applicant moments after the Sandton hit on DJ Somebody. He made no less than eight calls to the applicant,' said Boshoff. Boshoff also spoke of concerns by the State that witnesses lives may be endangered should Molefe be released on bail. This comes in the wake of messages sent via WhatsApp by Molefe to the other accused's family members when he was initially released on bail. Some of the messages suggested that Molefe could arrange his release from prison. 'Although bail was granted in the High Court regarding the case, this court is of the respectful opinion that a lot has changed since then. The current counts are of a very serious nature and can definitely increase the risk to abscond. Very important, the evidential link between the four accused persons in this case appears to have increased,' said Boshoff. According to the magistrate several facts are taken into consideration when such judgments are made. These include: the freedom of the individual, his right to be innocent until proven guilty and the interest of justice. 'There's also the statutory framework requiring that the accused must on a balance of probabilities show the existence of exceptional circumstances to permit his release on bail,' said Boshoff. In this regard, Molefe has not proven his innocence stated the magistrate. 'Considering all the relevant facts and circumstances, the court makes a value judgment and finds the applicant failed to put exceptional circumstances justifying his release on bail…As I highlighted there are a number of concerning aspects, not only linking the applicant to the crimes, but his circle of influence and capabilities. [Therefore], his application for bail is accordingly refused,' added Boshoff. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Dirco clarifies its response to US report that claimed racial minorities are abused in SA
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Dirco clarifies its response to US report that claimed racial minorities are abused in SA

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