A former DJ and club owner’s killing in 2022 has been linked to a stolen cocaine consignment from a KwaZulu-Natal police station, according to a sworn statement from a fellow musician who survived an assassination attempt.
The statement by Seunkie Mokubung, known as DJ Vettys, reveals that Oupa Sefoka, also known as DJ Sumbody, may have been killed simply for introducing individuals involved in the theft and resale of the drugs. The cocaine, taken from police custody in November 2021, was allegedly traced through a network of nightclub figures and gang affiliates in Gauteng.
Mokubung says Sefoka introduced his business partner, Ralph Stanfield, to rapper Thulani “Heavy Pablo” Msimang, who attempted to sell Stanfield some of the stolen cocaine. Stanfield then allegedly informed a rival criminal group that Msimang and those connected to Sefoka were responsible for the theft.
This disclosure, according to Mokubung, triggered a retaliatory cycle that led to the killing of Msimang and later Sefoka, as well as an attempted assassination on Mokubung himself in 2024. He described the incident as the start of a broader “killing spree” targeting DJs in the region.
Sefoka and Msimang were killed in separate night-time shootings eight months apart in 2022. Mokubung stated he had known Sefoka since childhood and viewed him as a close friend until his death.
Police have connected the same stolen drugs to other killings of entertainers in Gauteng, including Hector “DJ Vintos” Buthelezi in March 2022 and Sandile “DJ Citi Lyts” Mkhize in November 2022, who was ambushed with two bodyguards and struck by over 40 bullet casings, mostly from an AK47 rifle.
Four men — Katiso “KT” Molefe, Michael Pula Tau, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, and Musa Kekana — have been arrested in connection with Sefoka’s murder. Authorities say the firearms used in his killing have also been tied to attacks on Buthelezi and Mokubung.
Mokubung’s account aligns with testimony from KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who told a parliamentary anti-corruption committee the drugs had entered the hands of entertainers and circulated in Gauteng nightclubs. He noted the theft occurred during load-shedding, with the drugs logged out and moved without adequate security.
Mkhwanazi was quoted by the Sowetan newspaper saying the likely court narrative would show a thief who began selling stolen drugs and was then killed by the original owner, setting off a chain of revenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the origin of the cocaine linked to the DJ killings?
The cocaine was stolen from a police station in KwaZulu-Natal in November 2021.
Who is accused of ordering a hit on DJ Vettys?
Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, who is currently on trial for attempted murder and conspiracy and held in a C-Max prison in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal.
How were the stolen drugs connected to other murders?
Police have linked the same stolen cocaine to the killings of DJ Vintos and DJ Citi Lyts, as well as the attempted murder of DJ Vettys.
What does this case reveal about the risks faced by individuals connected to criminal networks in South Africa’s entertainment industry?