Alleged hitmen in DJ Sumbody’s murder now face charges in four homicide cases, as investigations link them to multiple high-profile killings across Gauteng.
DJ Sumbody Murder Case Takes a Darker Turn
The murder investigation into the killing of popular South African artist Oupa John Sefoka, known as DJ Sumbody, has deepened, with suspects now facing charges in two additional murder cases. This brings the total number of murders linked to the accused to four, intensifying public interest and raising concerns about organised crime networks operating in Gauteng.
Katiso “KT” Molefe, a controversial businessman, along with former detective Michael Pule Tau and alleged hitmen Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela, appeared at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 29 July 2025. The group already stood accused of murdering DJ Sumbody in a high-profile drive-by shooting in Woodmead in November 2022.
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Four Murders, One Court: Centralising the Cases
According to national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) intends to consolidate the murder charges into a single trial. This includes the deaths of DJ Sumbody and his two bodyguards, engineer Armand Swart, Orlando East DJ Hector Buthelezi (known as DJ Vintos), and motorist Don Tindleni.
The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria is expected to handle the combined case due to its complex and violent nature. The centralisation is intended to streamline prosecution since the suspects allegedly used the same firearms in multiple murders.
From Music Icons to Everyday Citizens: The Victim Trail
DJ Sumbody’s murder stunned South Africa, but it’s now part of a broader pattern. Investigators have connected the same group of suspects to the cold-blooded killing of Armand Swart in Vereeniging in April 2024, where the engineer was shot 23 times.
The expanding case now includes two more victims: DJ Vintos, murdered in a hail of bullets in Soweto in March 2022, and Don Tindleni, shot on the N1 highway in March 2023. These crimes were initially unrelated until ballistics linked the same firearms across all scenes.
The Guns That Spoke: AK-47 and Pistols Tell the Tale
Police have confirmed that four firearms seized during the arrest of Tau, Kekana, and Mabusela — three pistols and an AK-47 — were ballistically matched to the four murder scenes. Mathe stated, “We don’t only have the ballistics expert report. There’s other overwhelming evidence suggesting involvement.”
This forensic breakthrough has not only bolstered the current cases but may also help crack several other high-profile crimes. Authorities believe the same weapons may have been used in additional, yet-to-be-publicised cases.
Molefe Not Yet Linked to All Murders
While Molefe has been named as the alleged mastermind behind DJ Sumbody’s hit, he is currently not charged in the Tindleni murder. Only the three co-accused face charges for that case. Investigations are ongoing to determine who ordered Tindleni’s murder.
According to Mathe, “We are still investigating who the mastermind behind the Don Tindleni murder is, and we are hoping that in no time that information will come to light.”
READ MORE: DJ Sumbody Murder Weapons Linked to 10 Other Major Cases
Actress Tebogo Thobejane’s Case Also Tied to Suspects
In an additional revelation, police confirmed that two of the accused — Kekana and Mabusela — are suspects in an attempted murder case involving actress and influencer Tebogo Thobejane. However, the weapons used in that shooting have yet to be recovered and therefore remain unlinked.
Mathe said, “The AK-47 and pistols are linked to the other four cases but not yet the Tebogo Thobejane case. We are still tracing the firearm used.”
No Bail for the Alleged Hitmen
While Molefe’s bail application was postponed to 6 August 2025, the three co-accused chose not to apply for bail. Prosecutors believe the suspects pose a flight risk and may interfere with witnesses if released.
This court strategy is part of a broader effort to keep suspected violent criminals off the streets while prosecutors and police build stronger cases.
High-Profile Crimes and the Rise of Organised Hits
The Sumbody case, now entwined with other high-profile murders, reveals a dark underbelly of orchestrated assassinations in South Africa. The pattern of using the same hitmen, same firearms, and similar methods speaks to a possible network operating beyond one individual.
Analysts suggest this is emblematic of a bigger problem of guns-for-hire in Gauteng, with wealthy businessmen and former law enforcement operatives alleged to be pulling the strings.
Families Await Justice
For the families of DJ Sumbody, DJ Vintos, Armand Swart, and Don Tindleni, this multi-murder case offers a glimmer of hope for justice. Many have expressed gratitude that the murders, once cold cases, are finally seeing movement through advanced forensic and ballistic work.
The Thobejane case, still under investigation, may also bring more clarity once the missing firearm is found.
What’s Next in the Courtroom?
The upcoming hearings on 6 August may shed further light on the motive and alleged connections among the accused. As more evidence surfaces, South Africans are watching closely, hoping this case sets a precedent for how state authorities handle contract killings.
For now, the centralisation of these murder cases under one judicial banner is viewed as a significant step toward justice — and a rare moment of accountability in South Africa’s often slow-moving criminal justice system.
Watch: DJ Sumbody’s murder exposes connection between crime and power
