Murder-accused businessman Katiso Molefe, also known as KT, is set to appear in the Johannesburg High Court to appeal his bail denial.
The appeal follows an earlier ruling by the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court that found him to be a flight risk after evidence showed he previously travelled abroad using a fake passport.
Molefe faces several serious charges. He is accused of planning the killings of popular musicians DJ Sumbody and DJ Vintos in 2022, as well as the murder of whistleblower Armand Swart in April 2024.
According to the State, ballistic evidence suggests that firearms linked to Molefe may have been used in multiple contract killings.
In addition to the murder charges, Molefe has been named as one of the leaders of a powerful criminal organisation known as the “Big Five” cartel.
Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, head of police crime intelligence, revealed at the Madlanga Commission that the cartel operates in Gauteng and beyond.
Khumalo explained that the Big Five cartel deals in drug trafficking and other serious crimes such as contract killings, cross-border vehicle hijackings, kidnappings, tender fraud, and extortion.
He added that the group has syndicates, smaller crime networks, working under it, with its “head office” based in Gauteng because of the province’s economic importance.
According to Khumalo, Molefe works alongside Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and three other unnamed individuals who meet specific criteria to be cartel members.
These include holding an official role in the criminal justice system, owning a private security company, and having dual citizenship to allow easier cross-border movement.
Khumalo said the cartel has also penetrated politics, making it harder for law enforcement to dismantle its operations.
Evidence presented to the Commission included WhatsApp messages from Matlala’s phone, which showed communication with police officers, metro police officials, and businesspeople.
Some of the chats allegedly detailed payments made to political figures and linked the cartel to efforts to disrupt police investigations.
Back in court, Molefe is expected to argue that he should be granted bail despite his earlier denial. The State has opposed his release, citing the seriousness of the charges and his past attempts to evade justice.