Latest news with #Molefe
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Two more murder cases linked to suspects in DJ Sumbody killing
So far, the accused have been linked to a total of four murder cases, which will be centralised Businessman Katiso 'KT' Molefe and three alleged hitmen appear at Alexandra Magistrate's Court in connection with the murder of DJ Sumbody on 29 July 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo Two additional murder cases have been linked to controversial businessman Katiso 'KT' Molefe and the three men charged alongside him in the killing of South African artist Oupa John Sefoka, widely known as DJ Sumbody. Molefe, along with former police detective Michael Pule Tau, Musa Kekana, and Tiego Floyd Mabusela, made a second appearance at the Alexandra Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. The four men face charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of illegal ammunition. ALSO READ: DJ Sumbody's family welcomes the arrests of suspects and thanks police Molefe is believed to have ordered the hit on Sefoka, while his three co-accused allegedly carried it out. Sefoka was killed in a drive-by shooting in Woodmead, Gauteng, in November 2022. His two bodyguards, Sibusiso Mokoena and Sandile Myeza, were also shot and killed at the scene. The four accused are also suspects in the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart, who was gunned down outside his workplace in April 2024. Swart was shot 23 times. That case is currently before the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. More charges added as DJ Sumbody murder case postponed On Tuesday, it was revealed that the accused now face charges in connection with two more murder cases. The first involves the killing of Hector Buthelezi, known as DJ Vintos. The second case concerns the murder of Don Tindleni, who was killed on the N1 highway in Johannesburg in March 2023. Speaking outside court, national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe provided further details on the new charges, revealing that Buthelezi was gunned down outside a nightclub in Orlando East, Soweto, in March 2022. 'He was killed in a hail of bullets. At the time, the suspects were driving a BMW X3. His killers were never found,' she said. READ MORE: DJ Sumbody's murder exposes connection between crime and power Mathe told the media that the four firearms – three pistols and one AK-47 – seized when Kekana, Tau and Mabusela were arrested on the same day Swart was killed, have now been linked to the murders of Buthelezi and Tindleni. 'We don't only have the ballistics expert report that is linking these suspects to these particular hits. There's other overwhelming evidence that suggests that they are involved in the murders of these victims.' However, Mathe clarified that Molefe has not been charged in the Tindleni case. 'We are only adding the three hitmen. We are still investigating who the mastermind behind the Don Tindeni murder is, and we are hoping that in no time that information will come to light.' Mathe also confirmed that Molefe's bail application has been postponed to 6 August. His co-accused have opted not to seek bail. She added that the police continue to investigate other high-profile cases, some of which have also been linked through ballistic tests. One trial? In response to how these cases will be managed, Mathe said the state is working to consolidate them into a single trial. 'We are told that they are going to be centralised so Armand Swart's case, DJ Vintos, Don Tindleni, DJ Sumbody and his two bodyguards, those cases will be heard in one court. 'It's the same charges in all these cases.' Mathe further addressed the attempted murder case involving actress and influencer Tebogo Thobejane, where Mabusela and Kekana are suspects. 'Only two hitmen are linked to that particular case, but in terms of the firearm that was used, we are still looking for it. 'The AK-47 and the three pistols are linked to the four other cases but not yet the Tebogo Thobejane case.' She concluded that the motive behind the murders will not yet be made public. 'The motive, for now that's still going to come out in court, so we're not going to rush to speculate. Our investigators are still hard at work in piecing together some information, obviously closing the loopholes and the gaps.' NOW READ: Firearms used in DJ Sumbody's murder linked to 10 other high-profile cases
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
South African DJ's murder exposes nexus between crime and power
South African Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu pictured on January 14, 2025. Mchunu has been suspended after accusations of burying investigations. Photo: Christian Velcich / AFP By Clément Varanges, AFP On a quiet November night in 2022, DJ Sumbody - a rising star in South Africa's music scene - was gunned down in a hail of bullets while heading home. Then in April 2024, engineer Armand Swart was executed in a similar shooting after his company flagged a suspicious government tender in which prices had been inflated by over 4,500 percent. But dramatic arrests this week are tying those murders and many more together, exposing a murky underworld where criminals consort with political bigwigs for lucrative state tenders. The arrests came after explosive allegations by a senior police chief who accused the force and South Africa's police minister of a cover-up. Deep-rooted procurement corruption has seeped through every level of government for decades, security researcher David Bruce told AFP. "The whole issue of killings of whistleblowers and assassinations generally is massively interlinked with that issue," said Bruce, a consultant with the Institute for Security Studies. DJ Sumbody, a rising star in South Africa's music scene, was shot dead in November 2022. His murder is tied to others in the country, exposing a murky underworld. Photo: Instagram / DJ Sumbody Among those arrested this week are a former Johannesburg police officer at the time of DJ Sumbody's murder, as well as the prime suspect, a businessman named Katiso Molefe. British media have reported that a South African man of Molefe's same name and age was sentenced to four years in prison in the United Kingdom in 2003 for drug trafficking. Two other men, already in custody for the 2023 attempted murder of former reality TV star turned influencer Tebogo Thobejane, are also believed to have played a role. It doesn't end there. During the raid on Monday, police found prominent Johannesburg politician, Kenny Kunene, at Molefe's home. Kunene, a Johannesburg city council member, has since been suspended by his party leader, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, though police have not formally implicated him. Kunene denied any wrongdoing, saying he was merely trying to assist a journalist seeking to interview Molefe. At the centre of the widening web is businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, described locally as a "tenderpreneur", a term referring to individuals who have made fortunes through government contracts. Also the head of private security firm, Matlala was arrested in May in connection with the 2023 attempt on his ex-partner Thobejane's life. Thobejane, famous for her role in the long-running local soap opera Muvhango, earlier this month denied having "snitched" on Matlala. "I am a victim," she told local newspaper News24. In 2024, Matlala secured a $20 million contract with the national police - now cancelled - despite being implicated in a $125 million public hospital embezzlement scandal. The Tembisa hospital case cost whistleblower Babita Deokaran her life in 2021, when she was shot nine times outside her home. No arrests have been made in Deokaran's killing, reflecting the impunity that reigns with only 11 percent of murders solved, according to 2024 police statistics. "All these three cases are linked somehow," police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe said, referring to DJ Sumbody, Swart and Thobejane. Four weapons, including the AK-47 rifle used to kill DJ Sumbody, have been linked through ballistics to at least 10 high-profile cases, she added. SA President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a judicial inquiry into the allegations against his police minister. Photo: AP Photo/Jerome Delay The implications run deep. KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi last month accused colleagues and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of burying investigations targeting Matlala. In a bombshell televised press conference, flanked by armed security forces, Mkhwanazi alleged Mchunu had received payments from a corruption suspect and accused prosecutors of delaying justice. "We do hope that pretty soon we might find some changes with good, dedicated prosecutors and we might see arrests happening," he said, adding that cases of murdered artists would finally "come to the fore". President Cyril Ramaphosa has since suspended Mchunu and announced a judicial inquiry into the allegations. But there has been no tangible action. South Africa faces one of the world's highest murder rates, averaging more than 75 killings a day. Politically motivated contract killings have surged 108 percent over the past decade, according to a 2024 report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Studies show hiring a contract killer can cost as little as $145 in the country all too accustomed to violence. "It's easier to silence someone with a bullet than contend with an investigation," said Chad Thomas, head of private investigation company IRS Forensic. - AFP
The South African
5 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Malema dismisses Kunene's defence over Molefe as ‘pure lie'
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has rubbished claims by Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy leader Kenny Kunene, saying his explanation for being at the home of murder suspect Katiso 'KT' Molefe is a 'pure lie.' Speaking during a press briefing in Cape Town on Thursday ahead of the EFF's 12th anniversary, Malema dismissed Kunene's version of events, including his claim that he didn't know Molefe, the businessman accused of involvement in DJ Sumbody's killing. Malema said Kenny Kunene's version of events did not make sense. 'Kenny's story is not coming together,' he said. 'It's a pure lie. And that's how thugs 26, 28 gangs succeed. They lie, they think they can outsmart everyone. They are just lying and they don't care whether you are convinced or not.' Malema questioned Kunene's claim that he took a journalist to Molefe's house for an interview. He found it suspicious and unprofessional that an official would involve a journalist in a meeting with someone facing serious charges. 'Taking a journalist is not a secret operation. Who's that journalist? Why would you take a journalist to someone who just came out of prison, who's on bail, as an MMC?' Malema asked. He said he felt vindicated when he first heard that police had caught Kunene at Molefe's home. 'I'm very happy, you know. I danced even at night. Things are looking good. We told you these people are criminals. They are nothing else but mapantinti,' he said, using a slang term referring to criminals. Malema confirmed he knew Molefe, but only as a public figure, not personally. 'I know that guy. Not from a personal point of view. He's a well-known businessman. Until now, we knew him as a businessman.' He compared that limited knowledge with how close Kunene allegedly is to Molefe. 'I don't have a relationship with him like that. I can't call Patrice Motsepe or go to his house and take my wife there. Patrice Motsepe's wife knows my wife. I don't know a guy like Molefe in that way.' Malema insisted Kunene was lying when he said he didn't know Molefe. 'For Kenny to behave like that in public office and say he doesn't know that guy, that's a lie.' This statement from Malema came after Kenny Kunene was seen at the home of Katiso 'KT' Molefe during a police raid. Kunene's presence at the residence of the murder suspect sparked controversy and raised questions about his relationship with Molefe, leading to widespread scrutiny and calls for clarification. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Herald
5 days ago
- The Herald
Why Kenny Kunene's 'young journalist' couldn't run with 'KT' Molefe arrest story
Another reason the story couldn't be published was because the website hasn't been functional, he added. 'We were going to relaunch it with this exclusive. That was the opportunity he identified to resuscitate the publication because its strong point was publishing exclusive stories.' According to Motale, Kunene and the journalist were at Molefe's home to get an exclusive interview regarding KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations, which claimed Molefe contacted the Hawks head when officers from the police political killings task team tried to arrest him for murder. 'We thought this was a big story. He identified Molefe, who agreed to an interview. When the allegations by Mkhwanazi were made, the mainstream media went with allegations and people implicated were never given an opportunity to give their side of the story.' Motale refused to reveal the identity of the young journalist, citing concerns for his reputation and career. 'This is a sensitive matter, I need his permission. He's a young guy and we don't want his reputation to be tarnished. He's a fresh journalist from university and [recently] introduced to the game.' Kunene has been placed on special leave for 30 days pending investigations. TimesLIVE
The South African
5 days ago
- The South African
Total value of Kenny Kunene's TWO luxury watches
Former 'Sushi King' turned politician, Kenny Kunene, has dismissed any connection to controversial businessman Katiso Molefe, who was arrested this week as the alleged mastermind behind the murder of popular musician DJ Sumbody. But while Kunene insisted on his innocence in a televised interview, eagle-eyed viewers were just as focused on his wrists – where he was seen sporting not one, but two luxury watches, worth in excess of R1.25 million combined. In the interview, the Patriotic Alliance deputy president reiterated that he has no relationship with Molefe, who was dramatically arrested at his Sandton mansion. Kunene said he was simply escorting a journalist from his media company, African News Global, for an exclusive interview. 'I have done nothing wrong. I was at the wrong place at the wrong time – for the right reasons,' he claimed. 'I don't know Mr Molefe. I don't have his cell number. The police established that.' Kunene claims the meeting was arranged via mutual contacts and that the journalist needed his presence to gain access. 'As we drove in – before entering the house – the police kicked the gate in.' While Kunene attempted to distance himself from the high-profile murder case, social media was buzzing about his eye-catching accessory choices: U-Boat Darkmoon (Neon Green) – Approximate value: R22 000 (including shipping) – Approximate value: (including shipping) Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph – Estimated retail: R1.25 million (including shipping) X (formerly Twitter) users were quick to call out the contrast between Kunene's claims of innocence and his continued display of wealth and flamboyance. 'Only Kenny Kunene would wear a R1 million AP while saying, 'I'm just a journalist's chaperone,'' quipped one user. Background: The DJ Sumbody case DJ Sumbody, whose real name was Oupa John Sefoka, was gunned down in 2022 in what police believe was a targeted hit. Molefe, now in custody, is accused of ordering the murder, though full details remain under wraps. Kunene's unexpected presence at Molefe's residence during the arrest has raised eyebrows, but no charges have been brought against him. With police investigations ongoing, the full extent of the Molefe case – and any potential political entanglements – remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Kunene is not under arrest, and says he is 'fully cooperating' with law enforcement. Whether he was truly at the wrong place at the wrong time, or whether there's more to the story, remains a ticking question – much like the luxury watches on his wrists. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
