The alleged mastermind in the 2022 assassination of music producer and club owner Oupa Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody, Katiso Molefe, has been denied bail by the Alexandra Magistrates Court.
The court ruled that Molefe failed to provide exceptional circumstances why he must be granted bail, as the charges he’s facing are of a serious nature.
Molefe and his and three other co-accused, Musa Kekana, Michael Tau and Diego Mabusela, are facing several charges that include murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The state has repeatedly argued that Molefe hired his co-accused to eliminate Sefoka, and that there’s cell phone evidence of the co-accused attempting to contact Sefoka immediately after the hit, to arrange payment.
Presiding officer, Magistrate Renier Boshoff, said there’s overwhelming evidence linking the four to DJ Sumbody’s murder, as presented by the state through cell phone records, WhatsApp and calls made between the accused and Molefe.
Boshoff also cited that one of the key state witnesses in the matter is fearing for his life, should Molefe be granted bail, and added that he is also implicated in other serious charges of a similar nature.
“Considering all the relevant facts and circumstances before court, the court makes a valued judgment and find that the applicant failed the court exceptional circumstances justifying his release on bail.
“There are a number of very concerning aspects, not only linking the applicant to the crimes, but also regarding his circle of influence and capabilities. His application for bail is accordingly refused,” ruled Boshoff.
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Gauteng, has welcomed the court’s judgment. The case was postponed to 18 September 2025, for the indictment to be served on the suspects.
“We have cited in court that the accused person is a danger to society, he knows that if convicted, he faces a lengthy imprisonment term, which is an incentive for him to evade his trial.
“The interest of justice does not permit his release on bail, considering that he’s a danger to society and might tamper or hamper with the ongoing investigation. The evidence against the accused is overwhelming,” said NPA Regional spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane.
Furthermore, Mjonondwane highlighted that the NPA will centralise all seven dockets from other cases related to the charges that the accused are facing.
