By Thapelo Molefe
The court case involving the murder of Oupa Sefoka, affectionately known as DJ Sumbody, was postponed on Tuesday at the Alexandra Magistrates Court, Johannesburg.
Sefoka was killed in a hail of bullets in Woodmead in November 2022, alongside his two bodyguards.
All four suspects were arrested in Gauteng on Monday afternoon and appeared briefly in the dock before their case was postponed.
Sandton businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe, accused of orchestrating the hit on DJ Sumbody, was among those arrested.
His co-accused, alleged hitmen Michael Pule Tau, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, and Musa Kekana, also appeared.
According to the charge sheet, the four face charges of murder and unlawful possession of firearms.
The case was postponed to allow the state more time to investigate before a formal bail application at the next hearing, scheduled for July 29.
Molefe will remain in custody at the Kgoši Mampuru Correctional Centre in Tshwane pending further proceedings.
“The three hitmen and alleged mastermind are facing three counts of murder, these charges include the murder of DJ Sumbody and his two bodyguards, Sibusiso Mokoena and Sandile Myeza,” police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe told reporters outside court.
Gauteng organised crime detectives initially led the investigation before roping in the SAPS Political Killings Task Team to assist.
According to News24, police found City of Johannesburg Transport MMC Kenny Kunene at Molefe’s home during the arrest operation.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Kunene said his presence at Molefe’s house during the arrest was purely coincidental.
“I don’t have his number, and I have no personal relationship with Molefe [the alleged murder mastermind]. I was merely organising an interview for a journalist — it would have been an exclusive story for the journalist,” said Kunene, who is also the Deputy President of the Patriotic Alliance (PA).
“I connect socially with a lot of people in this country. I’m a people’s person. People know me in this country. Now that I’m a politician, must I start walking like one and become a position? You end up treating people with disrespect. I’m living my life as Kenny Kunene. Kenny Kunene is a DJ. Kenny Kunene is a politician.”
Kunene added: “I spoke to the Patriotic Alliance president [Gayton McKenzie]. I told him I am going to facilitate an exclusive interview with the journalist to talk to Molefe. I explained everything to him this morning — he was worried, but he has accepted my reasons for being at the house.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomed the arrests, describing them as long overdue.
“We commend Gauteng’s organised crime detectives and the Political Killings Task Team for their determined and methodical investigation, which has now resulted in the arrest of three suspected hitmen and the individual believed to have ordered the killing,” said EFF spokesperson Thambo Sinawo in a statement.
“This breakthrough is a direct validation of Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkwanazi’s decision to speak out about the internal threats against the Political Killings Task Team.”
The EFF also expressed concern over alleged efforts to dismantle the unit.
“It is disturbing that instead of strengthening this effective task team, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is attempting to disband it, which can only serve the interests of criminal syndicates and corrupt politicians,” the party said.
Mathe confirmed that two of the suspects were linked to other violent crimes, including the murder of former Transnet employee Armanda Swart and the attempted murder of actress Tebogo Thobejane.
“The weapon allegedly used in the commission of the crime was seized and has since been linked to other murders,” Mathe said.
“At this stage, all four firearms seized during the arrest of the three suspects allegedly involved in Swart’s murder — including an AK-47 — are linked to at least 10 high-profile cases, involving murder and attempted murder.”
She added: “We now know that the same firearm that killed Swart is the same firearm that killed DJ Sumbody and his two bodyguards.”
Police commissioner General Fannie Masemola also hailed the arrests as a major breakthrough.
“Well done to the teams that have been piecing together evidence since November 2022. This is a culmination of hard work and dedication to justice. This is one of those complex cases where our teams needed time to ensure a thorough investigation, so we could ultimately bring a strong case before court,” Masemola said.
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