Why were DJ Sumbody and DJ Vintos killed? The shocking story behind it
What at first seemed like a tragic but isolated shooting is rapidly unravelling into something far more sinister. It is a chilling narrative of hitmen, underground dealings, and a growing body count in Johannesburg’s entertainment and business circles.
The murder of beloved Pretoria club owner and amapiano pioneer, DJ Sumbody (real name Oupa John Sefoka) in November 2022 shocked the nation. But nearly three years later, disturbing connections are emerging that suggest his killing was just one chapter in a much larger and darker story.
Underworld Fallout
New allegations point to a suspected fallout between DJ Sumbody and a powerful underground figure. According to family members, this conflict may have directly led to his assassination, turning what was once a vibrant music career into a marked target.
Senior eNCA reporter Silindelo Masikane describes a case that reads like an action thriller. Yet, it is painfully real for the families of the deceased.
A Crime Syndicate Unfolds
Now at the heart of the unfolding drama is Katiso “KT” Molefe, a 61-year-old Sandton businessman. Along with three others — Michael Pule Tau, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, and Musa Kekana — he is facing charges not only for DJ Sumbody’s murder but also for several other killings.
The accused appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on 29 July 2025 with their identities shielded behind masks. They are also charged with the April 2024 murder of engineer Armand Swart, who is believed to have been a victim of mistaken identity. Swart’s company had reportedly exposed corruption linked to government tenders.
Weapons, including an AK-47 and multiple pistols, were found in the possession of the three co-accused and have undergone ballistics testing. Disturbingly, these weapons have now been forensically connected to multiple murders, including that of DJ Sumbody and his bodyguards Sibusiso Mokoena and Sandile Myeza.
DJ Vintos: Another Casualty
Perhaps even more alarming is the alleged link to the murder of DJ Vintos (real name Hector Buthelezi), who was gunned down in March 2022 outside a nightclub in Orlando East, Soweto. Reports indicate he was killed by suspects driving a BMW X3, a vehicle now tied to the broader investigation.
Police have confirmed that all four accused are now formally charged in DJ Vintos’ murder as well. The web continues to expand with the inclusion of a third murder, that of Don Tindleni, who was fatally shot on the N1 near the N17 offramp in March 2023. While Molefe faces fewer charges, the three alleged hitmen are now also charged with Tindleni’s murder.
A Case of Centralisation
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe stated that the SAPS political killings task team and the Gauteng organised crime unit are coordinating efforts to centralise the sprawling case. The matter has been postponed to 6 August for Molefe’s bail application and 18 September for the consolidation of cases.
Final Thoughts
What began as a single high-profile killing has evolved into a multi-layered criminal saga involving guns, drugs, money, and a trail of bloodshed. As the investigation widens, it raises serious concerns about the intersections between the entertainment world, business elites, and the criminal underworld in South Africa.
The country watches closely, not just in the hope of justice for DJ Sumbody and other victims, but to see whether the truth behind these brazen assassinations will finally be brought to light.
