A single, infamous rifle is now at the center of a staggering revelation that connects some of South Africa’s most high-profile murders. The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard evidence that an AK-47 assault rifle, confiscated in the investigation of politician Armand Swart’s murder, is the same weapon used to kill music stars DJ Sumbody and DJ Vintos, as well as former ANC Youth League secretary Don Tindleni.
This forensic link, presented at the inquiry probing corruption and criminality in the justice system, paints a terrifying picture of a potential hitman network, using a single, highly lethal weapon to carry out assassinations across different spheres.
A Weapon of War, A Tool for Hire
The connections are as chilling as they are precise. Ballistic testing, which matches the unique markings left on bullet casings to a specific firearm, has conclusively tied the four murders together.
This suggests that a single, organized group of hitmen, armed with this particular AK-47, was responsible for carrying out these assassinations. The weapon was not discarded after one job but was kept in circulation and reused, indicating a sophisticated and resourceful criminal operation.
The Victims of a Single Rifle
The list of victims tied to this one weapon reads like a devastating roll call of talent and influence:
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Armand Swart: A Cape Town councillor whose political assassination in 2023 initially led to the seizure of the AK-47.
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DJ Sumbody (Oupa John Sefoka): The beloved “Monate Mpolaye” hitmaker was gunned down in a hail of bullets in November 2023, a killing that sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry.
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DJ Vintos (Thapelo Makhutle): The Amapiano star was tragically shot and killed in June 2024.
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Don Tindleni: A former ANC Youth League secretary in the Elias Motsoaledi municipality in Limpopo, who was murdered in 2022.
The fact that one firearm connects a politician, two major music artists, and a political figure from a different province points to a criminal network with reach across both the political and entertainment worlds.
A Breakthrough with Deeper Implications
For investigators and the families of the victims, this ballistic evidence is a monumental breakthrough. It provides a clear, tangible link in cases that have, for the public, often seemed like isolated tragedies.
However, this revelation also exposes a deeper, more systemic failure. It raises urgent and disturbing questions about the networks that facilitate these killings. Who is hiring these hitmen? Is there a central “armory” or a “pool” of weapons being shared among assassins? Most importantly, what is the connection between the victims that would warrant the use of the same assassination team?
The Madlanga Commission, tasked with investigating political interference and criminal syndicates within the justice system, is now staring at a piece of evidence that seems to confirm its worst fears. The AK-47 is no longer just a murder weapon; it is a key that could potentially unlock the dark, interconnected world of contract killings in South Africa.
