Two men believed to be acting as bodyguards for alleged Gauteng crime kingpin Katiso “KT” Molefe were arrested on Tuesday after police discovered they were carrying two AKM semi-automatic rifles and ammunition without permits.
The arrests took place outside the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court where Molefe, 61, appeared for a hearing aimed at centralising his multiple high-profile murder and organised-crime cases. The two suspects, aged 24 and 36, arrived in a vehicle with mismatched registration plates, prompting officers to search them. The car has since been seized.
Molefe and three co-accused – former detective Michael Pule Tau, Tiego Floyd Mabusela and Musa Kekana – were in court for the State’s successful application to transfer the matters to the Johannesburg High Court. A consolidated trial has been scheduled for 5 February 2026.
The Sandton businessman remains out on R400,000 bail granted in October after he appealed an earlier refusal. He was first arrested in July 2025 in connection with the 2024 murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart, a case of mistaken identity. Subsequent investigations linked Molefe to a string of contract killings, including the November 2022 assassination of popular amapiano producer DJ Sumbody (Oupa John Sefoka) and the murders of musician DJ Vintos and businessman Don Tindleni.
Ballistic evidence has reportedly tied three firearms seized during earlier operations – an AK-47 rifle and two pistols – to at least 18 murders and attempted murders across Gauteng. Prosecutors allege the weapons were used by hit squads paid by Molefe’s syndicate.
Police intelligence has identified Molefe and businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala as leaders of the so-called “Big Five” cartel, accused of drug trafficking, vehicle hijackings, tender fraud and contract killings. The pair and three other suspected cartel bosses remain under investigation.
The National Prosecuting Authority described Tuesday’s arrests as further evidence of the ongoing threat posed by the syndicate. Social media users expressed outrage that an accused of Molefe’s stature was still at liberty and apparently able to travel with armed escorts.
The two arrested men are expected to appear in the same court on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Calls to revoke Molefe’s bail are growing louder as the case heads to the High Court early next year.