Katiso Molefe, the murder-accused and alleged key figure in the killings of popular musicians, Oupa ‘DJ Sumbody’ Sefoka, his two bodyguards, and Hector ‘DJ Vintos’ Buthelezi, was in constant communication with his co-accused and transferred huge sums of money shortly after the murder of DJ Sumbody in November 2022.

This was according to an affidavit deposed by the chief investigating officer in the alleged spate of contract killings orchestrated by Molefe, who was described as a dangerous criminal who was not afraid to kill.

Molefe, who was arrested last month by the SAP’s Political Killings Task Team in Gauteng, appeared alone for his bail application yesterday, where he revealed that in a separate matter involving Armand Swart, he had not attempted to flee, which was why he should be considered for bail.

Molefe’s involvement in the murder of DJ Sumbody, his two bodyguards, and DJ Vintos has been linked through ballistics tests, WhatsApp messages, detailed bank statements, including the AK-47, which was found at the home of Michael Pule Tau (accused one).

As a result, he faces four counts of conspiracy to commit murder, four counts of murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition linked to the murders of the two DJs and DJ Sumbody’s two bodyguards, while the murder matter of Swart was still pending.

His three co-accused, Musa Kekana, Tau, and Floyd Mabusela, have opted not to apply for bail and did not appear in court on yesterday.

“The incidents leading to the investigation are described as contract killings, characterised by assassination-style shootings with the sole motive of eliminating the victims… It is important to bear in mind that this type of murder is meticulously planned and executed with precision.

“This invariably involves intimate knowledge regarding the movements of the victim on the day of the planned killing, and the perpetrators of this crime are extremely dangerous and unscrupulous,” the investigating officer said.

On the proof that the investigating officer had gathered, the State, which had opposed bail for Molefe, indicated that Molefe, acted as the mastermind, ordered and paid for the hit against the two musicians, with bank transactions and cellphone records being at the centre of the investigation.

“The middleman’s role is to arrange for payment after the job is done. In this regard, it is important to note that according to the cellphone records of accused one, he was in constant cellphone contact with the applicant, shortly after the killing of DJ Sumbody, and made several attempts to call the applicant, without success.

“WhatsApp communications on 21 November 2022 (the day after the shooting) between accused 2 (Mabusela) and 3 (Kekana) revealed a conversation between the two, where it is stated that accused 1 should call accused 4 (referred to as K) to arrange for payment,” the officer added.

The investigating officer also claimed that after the murder of the musicians in March and November 2022, Molefe’s co-accused, the alleged hitmen, made large cash deposits into their bank accounts.

However, Molefe, speaking through his legal counsel, Michael Hellens SC, denied that he was the person being referred to in these electronic conversations as K.

Furthermore, Molefe argued that he was not a flight risk and a threat to witnesses and other parties involved in this investigation.

“None of my circumstances have changed. I would not have been given bail in another pending case, and I have not abused the bail conditions of my current bail if there was a chance that I would flee. On the allegations that I am dangerous, there is no content to satisfy this allegation. For those who say I have far-reaching influence, there is also no content to this, as it is pure speculation…

“All my businesses and my family are wholly based here in South Africa, and I have no intention to flee, as that thought has not crossed my mind under the current circumstances, and my passport is with the police; therefore, I submit that I am not a flight risk,” he stated.

The matter was postponed to Friday, August 15, for the continuation of his bail application.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za

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