By Thando Kanye
Copyright nehandaradio
JOHANNESBURG – Police in South Africa have confirmed that the firearms seized from businessman Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala, including the AK-47 used in the hit on popular entertainer DJ Sumbody, have been linked to at least 18 murders.
DJ Sumbody, whose real name was Oupa Sefoka, was gunned down in a hail of bullets in Woodmead, Johannesburg, in November 2022.
Controversial South African businessman TK Molefe, who is linked to Matlala, was arrested earlier this year for the murder, alongside three other suspects.
The 49-year-old Matlala is accused of orchestrating a 2023 hit on his ex-girlfriend, actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane.
He faces charges of attempted murder, money laundering, and other serious offences alongside his wife, Tsakane, and three co-accused.
Speaking to media after Matlala was denied bail at the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that confirmed that one AK-47 and two pistols in police custody have been linked to 18 cases, including the murders of DJ Sumbody, DJ Vintos, Don Tindleni, and Armand Swart, as well as the attempted murder of taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni.
“In terms of the firearms, you will recall that we’ve got three firearms in police custody: one AK-47 and two pistols,” said Mathe.
“I have previously indicated we were linking those three firearms with 10 cases. The number has now risen to 18. These include murder, attempted murder, and other serious crimes,” she said.
Mathe revealed that they were still looking for the weapon used on the Thobejane hit.
“So we are now sitting at 18 cases where we are linking these three firearms in our possession. You will recall that the Tebogo Thobejane AK-47 has not been found. We are still looking for that particular weapon,” she said.
Meanwhile Molefe was denied bail on Thursday after phone records linked him to the man accused of murdering DJ Sumbody and another entertainer.
The prosecution revealed that Molefe is also linked to the murder of DJ Vintos, who was shot dead in Orlando East, Soweto, in a similar assassination-style attack.
“The state alleges these were contract killings, carried out with AK-47 rifles, with the motive being elimination of rivals,” magistrate Boshoff said during proceedings.
Cellphone records presented in court allegedly place Molefe in frequent contact with his co-accused just minutes after DJ Sumbody was killed. The same pattern of communication was recorded after the death of DJ Vintos.
“These killings were not random. They were planned, executed, and followed a clear pattern,” the state prosecutor said.
