By Buchule Putini
Johannesburg – Katiso Molefe, the man accused of being one of the masterminds behind a string of politically connected assassinations, will remain behind bars after the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court postponed his bail application to 15 August 2025 in the high-profile murder case of slain musician DJ Sumbody.
Molefe was arrested in July 2024, and the case has since shaken the political and criminal underworld with growing allegations of state capture by assassination networks.
Mkhwanazi: Molefe Linked to Assassination Network
This postponement follows explosive revelations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who confirmed during a national press briefing that Molefe is allegedly part of a syndicate of hitmen responsible for politically motivated killings across provinces.
Mkhwanazi alleged that Molefe and his associate, Cat Matlala, ran a hit squad that operated with impunity—shielded by corrupt senior Police officials, Prosecutors, and even Members of the Judiciary.
Transcript and Detailed Report
According to Mkhwanazi, the same firearm used in DJ Sumbody’s 48-shot execution in 2022 was also used in the murder of engineer Armand Swart and the attempted hit on actress Tebogo Thobejane—linking all three shootings to the same murder-for-hire network.
Molefe’s Political Ties – Enter Kenny Kunene
Molefe’s political associations have come under intense public scrutiny, especially after suspended Patriotic Alliance deputy president and former MMC for Transport in Johannesburg, Kenny Kunene, was found at Molefe’s Sandton home during his arrest on 21 July 2024.
Kunene who has since resigned from his position as MMC, claimed he was accompanying an intern Journalist to conduct an interview. However, the Democratic Alliance rejected this explanation as “laughable,” calling for accountability and transparency.
“It is completely unacceptable for a government official to be found at the residence of an accused murderer while a police operation is underway,”
Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader.
Kunene maintains that police apologised to him during the operation, but critics argue his presence raises serious concerns about political interference and the shielding of underworld figures by political elites.
Judge, Prosecutor, and Police Implicated
Mkhwanazi’s briefing also revealed damning claims that a judge, a senior prosecutor, and multiple police generals had allegedly attempted to block Molefe’s arrest in a previous case—the murder of Armand Swart—where Molefe was controversially granted bail under dubious circumstances.
This time, however, the court has taken a firmer stance, with the state opposing bail in the DJ Sumbody case, citing public interest and the need to restore trust in the justice system.
Molefe will return to court on 15 August 2025.
