The political landscape in South Africa has once again found itself embroiled in controversy, following the arrest of alleged criminal mastermind Katiso KT Molefe and the unexpected appearance of Patriotic Alliance Deputy President Kenny Kunene at his Sandton residence. Molefe, who is thought to have orchestrated the murder of musician Oupa Sefoka, known as DJ Sumbody, was apprehended by law enforcement on Monday, with allegations pointing toward a premeditated hit on the artist.
Kunene has sought to downplay his presence at the scene, asserting that he was merely there to facilitate an interview with junior journalists about a media company he claims to own. He stated that an intermediary had arranged the meeting, which coincided with the police’s arrival to arrest Molefe, raising eyebrows about the circumstances of his visit.
“It was a question of perhaps being at the wrong place at the wrong time for the right reasons,” Kunene explained during a recent interview with SABC. He maintained that he had no previous acquaintance with Molefe in a social context, aside from a brief introduction at a past event—a claim that raises questions given his prior connections as a renowned socialite and businessman.
Despite his insistence on being uninvolved in Molefe’s dealings, Kunene’s past encounters with him have sparked criticisms and speculation. “People will tell you that when I arrive at a place, I greet everybody. I was taught to greet,” he continued, attempting to clarify his social presence. Nonetheless, Kunene’s assertion that he was merely a bystander at the time of the arrest does little to quell the controversy surrounding them both.
Rather astonishingly, Kunene isn’t the only notable figure linked to Molefe. Retired HAWKS head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has also found himself in a predicament concerning the businessman. Reports surfaced that Lebeya had dispatched a team to Molefe’s residence, allegedly intending to thwart an arrest, which culminated in an armed confrontation with members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) who were at the scene to detain Molefe. Lebeya has since stated that his decision was spurred by concerns after receiving a call alleging the presence of impostors masquerading as HAWKS agents at Molefe’s home.
“I had to check with the divisional commissioner for national priority offences in the DPCI, and he didn’t know about that operation,” Lebeya detailed. This underscores a significant gap in communication within the policing structure, elevating the concerns over potential corruption and moral integrity within law enforcement.
The sequence of events has raised serious alarm bells within the South African government, prompting calls for accountability as the country grapples with the increasing infiltration of criminal elements within its policing and judicial systems. In light of these recent developments, President Cyril Ramaphosa has established a Commission of Inquiry aimed at probing these allegations, with Lebeya asserting his willingness to provide testimony regarding the incident.
Meanwhile, the Alexandra magistrate’s court has granted the state a seven-day postponement in proceedings against Molefe and three alleged accomplices in the Sefoka murder case. Prosecutors have indicated they require additional time to pursue ‘new leads’ that have emerged since Molefe’s arrest, demonstrating the case’s evolving nature and the challenges inherent in untangling the web of crime swirling around these figures.