Police link multiple high-profile killings through ballistic evidence as four suspects face murder charges in Johannesburg. |
| DJ Sumbody and DJ Vintos pictured together during happier times. Both artists were later killed in separate targeted shootings, now linked by the same weapon. Katiso Molefe (right) appears in court, facing multiple murder charges alongside three alleged hitmen. Image via lifestyle butchery Facebook |
In a significant development for South Africa’s ongoing battle against organized violent crime, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has officially confirmed that businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe and three alleged accomplices have been charged with the murders of DJ Vintos and Don Tindleni.
These charges mark a critical moment in a wider investigation that has linked multiple high-profile killings to a coordinated criminal network operating across Gauteng.
Forensic Evidence at the Center of the Case
According to SAPS, a single AK-47 rifle was used in the murders of:
- DJ Vintos (real name Hector Buthelezi), killed in 2022
- Don Tindleni, a prominent Johannesburg businessman, murdered in a highway shooting in March 2023
- DJ Sumbody (Oupa Sefoka), killed in November 2022
- Armand Swart, a Johannesburg-based engineer
The ballistic matches have served as key evidence tying Molefe and the three alleged hitmen to what SAPS now considers to be a pattern of targeted killings.
[BREAKING] SAPS confirms Katiso Molefe, and the 3 alleged hitmen are now charged with the murder of Dj Vintos.
— Silindelo Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) July 29, 2025
The alleged hitmen will also be charged with the murder of Don Tindleni.
They've been linked through the AK 47 that killed #DjSumbody and Armaand Swart.@eNCA pic.twitter.com/UV1nc9mJig
Court Proceedings and Additional Investigations
All four suspects have appeared in court, and their bail applications have been postponed. Their next court appearance is scheduled for 18 September 2025. SAPS has indicated that further charges may be forthcoming as investigations into other potentially linked cases continue.
In addition to the confirmed murders, at least two of the suspects are also under investigation for their alleged involvement in the attempted assassination of actress Tebogo Thobejane in October 2023.
A Coordinated Murder Syndicate?
This case has revealed what appears to be a highly organized assassination network, potentially operating on a for-hire basis. Intelligence suggests that financial and business disputes may have played a role in the targeting of victims.
The scale and consistency of the violence all carried out with the same high-powered weapon point toward a calculated campaign of violence, raising serious concerns about the state’s ability to monitor and disrupt such operations.
Internal Challenges Within Law Enforcement
The case has also highlighted systemic challenges within SAPS itself. Reports from investigative journalists have exposed infighting between specialized units such as Crime Intelligence and the now-defunct Political Killings Task Team. This internal dysfunction may have delayed arrests and complicated early leads.
Analysts warn that unless internal coordination improves, efforts to dismantle organized crime networks may continue to be undermined by poor interdepartmental communication and lack of operational cohesion.
Victims Remembered
DJ Vintos was a respected artist and rising figure in the local music industry.
Don Tindleni was known for his work in logistics and infrastructure development and had deep ties in Johannesburg’s business circles.
DJ Sumbody was a beloved entertainer and entrepreneur.
Armand Swart worked in the private engineering sector and reportedly had no known criminal ties
Their deaths, now believed to be linked through the same weapon and suspects, have sent shockwaves through both the public and private sectors.
As the legal process unfolds, this case is poised to become one of the most consequential investigations in recent South African criminal history. It represents a rare opportunity for SAPS to not only deliver justice to grieving families but also to expose and dismantle a network that may have orchestrated multiple contract killings.
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