DJ Sumbody’s Assassination Tied to Drug Syndicate and Missing Consignment in KZN
The brutal assassination of popular music producer and nightlife entrepreneur DJ Sumbody, born Oupa Sefoka, has been linked to a violent underworld feud sparked by a missing multi-million-rand drug consignment.
The chilling revelation follows the arrest of four suspects—aged between 45 and 60—including businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe, in connection with the murder.
Sefoka was gunned down execution-style alongside his two bodyguards, Sibusiso Mokoena and Sandile Myeza, on November 20, 2022. The shooting took place in Woodmead, Johannesburg, shortly after he had finished performing at News Cafe.
Also Read: DJ Sumbody Murder Trial Delayed as Prosecution Seeks More Investigation Time
Origins of the Feud: Missing Drugs and “The Big Five”
According to The Sunday World, police insiders and associates close to the late DJ claim the saga stems from a drug consignment that mysteriously vanished while in police custody in KwaZulu-Natal.
DJ Sumbody’s Assassination Tied to Drug Syndicate and Missing Consignment (Image Credit: Instagram @djsumbody)Years later, the consignment reportedly reappeared on Johannesburg’s club circuit, where it was sold at a reduced rate—drawing the ire of its original owners, an alleged crime syndicate known as “The Big Five.”
The resurfacing of the drugs allegedly triggered a series of retaliatory killings in the entertainment industry. Other victims linked to the same feud include DJ Citi Lyts (Sandile Mkhize), rapper Heavy Pablo (Thulani Msimango), and Hector “Ginimbi” Buthelezi, also known as DJ Vintos.
How DJ Sumbody Got Involved
Sources allege that DJ Sumbody became caught up in the ordeal when individuals in possession of the consignment approached him for assistance. At the time, he was launching the Cape Town branch of his Ayepyep nightclub and was allegedly asked to help facilitate a meeting with a Cape Town businessman.
“His role was to get a Cape Town businessman to meet with these guys. It was not clear at the time if he knew the business to be discussed involved drugs,” said a source close to the events.
The businessman, said to have warned the group that “The Big Five” were searching for their missing goods, allegedly tipped off the syndicate in an effort to distance himself from the matter. This reportedly led to a hit list being drawn up—DJ Sumbody’s name included.
While one of the drug lords allegedly argued that DJ Sumbody had no criminal inclinations, calling him “someone who lacked the guts to get involved in any crime,” the majority reportedly voted to eliminate him.
Warnings, Funding Ties, and Final Hours
According to investigators, DJ Sumbody was warned to leave Johannesburg for his safety. On the day of his murder, he had reportedly packed his belongings and was preparing to move to Cape Town. His final gig at News Café, unlike previous shows, had not been advertised—possibly a sign he was lying low.
Further complicating matters was DJ Sumbody’s hunt for financial backers to open his Ayepyep Menlyn branch. While he reportedly received backing from taxi billionaire Joe Sibanyoni—popularly known as Joe Ferrari—other sources claim he had earlier agreed to a drug deal with a now-deceased taxi boss to secure funding for the Pretoria branch, which he later backed out of.
Following the taxi boss’s death, Sibanyoni hosted a party at Mercedes, where DJ Sumbody’s close friend DJ Vettys posted a cryptic social media photo with the caption: “Show me your friends and I’ll show you mine.” DJ Vettys later survived an assassination attempt in which two bullets struck him.
Social media posts also showed rapper Cassper Nyovest with DJ Vettys, allegedly putting the popular artist at risk by association.
Another source claimed DJ Sumbody had initially agreed to distribute drugs at the Pretoria club but later offered to do so at the Cape Town branch—only to renege on the promise after it opened. “That’s why a decision to kill him was taken,” the source said.