JOHANNESBURG – The guns used to kill South African DJ Oupa John Sefoka, known as DJ Sumbody, have been linked to at least 10 other major crimes, police revealed this week.
Four men arrested in connection with Sefoka’s murder also face charges related to the killing of engineer Armand Swart. The suspects—Sandton businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe, former detective Michael Pule Tau, Musa Kekana, and Tiego Floyd Mabusela—appeared in Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
They were arrested on Monday by the political killings task team and Gauteng organised crime detectives of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The accused face murder, conspiracy, possession of unlicensed firearms, and illegal ammunition charges tied to Sefoka’s death.
Molefe is believed to have ordered the attack, while the others allegedly carried it out. Sefoka was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in Woodmead on 20 November 2022, with his two bodyguards also killed at the scene.
The case was postponed to 29 July to allow the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) time to finalise investigations ahead of Molefe’s expected bail application. Molefe will be held separately from his co-accused at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria, while the others remain in Johannesburg and Modderbee prisons. The state has said it will oppose bail.
The four men were also arrested in connection with Swart’s murder on 17 April 2024. Swart, an engineer from Vereeniging, was shot 23 times outside his workplace. Police say the killing was likely a case of mistaken identity linked to a Transnet tender scandal whistleblower.
Police seized four firearms—three pistols and an AK-47—during the arrests. Ballistics tests confirmed the weapons were used in both the Swart and Sefoka murders. The guns are now linked to at least 10 other high-profile cases, including attempted murders, though details remain confidential.
Mabusela and Kekana face additional charges for the attempted murder of actress and influencer Tebogo Thobejane, whose car was ambushed and shot at in October 2023 near Sandton. Thobejane survived the attack. Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, Thobejane’s former partner, and his wife Tsakani were also arrested in connection with the incident.
A fifth suspect, 23-year-old Nthabiseng Nzama, daughter of one of the hitmen, was charged with money laundering and will appear in court on 26 October 2025.
Meanwhile, questions remain about the political killings task team’s future amid allegations that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu ordered its disbandment to protect politically connected criminals. President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a commission of inquiry to investigate the matter.
SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the task team is currently focusing only on historical cases and that the inquiry will determine its future role.
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