AK-47 That Killed DJ Sumbody Linked to More Murders: Police Unravel Deadly Trail

New court revelations reveal weapon used in DJ Sumbody killing also linked to other assassinations

The South African music industry and crime-fighting authorities are reeling as new details emerge from the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court. In a chilling twist, police have confirmed that the same AK-47 used in the high-profile assassination of amapiano star DJ Sumbody was also used in at least three other murders, including that of Soweto’s own DJ Vintos.

The weapon, now central to a widening investigation, connects four brutal killings that span over a year of violence in Gauteng. The SAPS Political Killings Task Team, together with the Gauteng Organised Crime Unit, is now hunting down additional suspects as the scope of the alleged hit squad’s operation becomes clearer.

Murder by Design: One Weapon, Multiple Victims

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the breakthrough: the AK-47 was forensically linked to the November 2022 killing of DJ Sumbody (real name Oupa John Sefoka) and his two bodyguards, as well as:

• The March 2022 shooting of Hector “DJ Vintos” Buthelezi in Orlando East, Soweto

• The March 2023 slaying of Don Tindleni, who was ambushed and killed in his BMW 5 Series on the N1 freeway

• And now, a deepening connection to a series of other unsolved murders

Police believe the weapon could be tied to as many as 10 high-profile killings, with four already confirmed through ballistics testing.

Inside the Courtroom: A Shocking Lineup

Appearing in the dock were businessman Katiso Molefe, former police officer Michael Pule Tau, and co-accused Tiego Floyd Mabusela and Musa Kekana. All four are charged with DJ Sumbody’s murder, but now, three of them also face charges related to Don Tindleni’s death. Collectively, all four men are charged with the killing of DJ Vintos.

The accused are believed to have been driving a BMW X3 at the time of the DJ Vintos shooting, another bold daylight hit that stunned Soweto.

Only Molefe is applying for bail at this stage. The other three have opted to remain behind bars.

Public Outrage and Calls for Justice

On social media, the reaction has been swift and emotional. Many South Africans have expressed shock at how long it took to link the weapon, while others have raised concerns about the safety of artists and public figures in Johannesburg’s nightlife scene.

“It’s like something out of a Netflix crime doc,” one Twitter user posted. “How can one gun take out so many people before being caught?”

Others are demanding faster results and harsher penalties. “Enough is enough,” wrote one Facebook commenter. “They silenced our DJs, now we want justice!”

Deadly Pattern or Hired Gun Network?

There are growing suspicions that these killings may be part of a broader assassination-for-hire ring operating in Gauteng. The use of an AK-47, a military-grade firearm in such high-profile hits suggests access to serious weaponry, and possibly insider knowledge.

The fact that a former police officer is among the accused only deepens public mistrust in law enforcement.

Cultural Fallout: Loss Beyond the Headlines

DJ Sumbody was more than a chart-topping amapiano figure. He was a business owner, nightclub mogul, and a mentor to many up-and-coming artists. His murder sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, with tributes pouring in from across the country.

DJ Vintos, similarly, held a beloved status in Soweto’s vibrant nightlife. His death left a hole in Orlando East’s creative scene, one that’s only now being understood as part of a much larger criminal picture.

What’s Next in the Case?

As the investigation continues, the SAPS believes more arrests are imminent. “We are sitting at number four,” Mathe confirmed, “but we know there’s more.”

Weapons seized from the suspects are currently under forensic review, and authorities hope they may crack open other unsolved cases tied to the same network.

Molefe is due back in court on August 6 for a formal bail application. Until then, the country watches and waits — and wonders how many more lives were shattered by the same cold, deadly trigger.

{Source: IOL}

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