Businessman Malcolm X Confirms He Phoned Former Hawks Boss Lebeya Amid DJ Sumbody Murder Probe
A Johannesburg businessman, Malcolm X, has confirmed that he phoned former Hawks boss, Godfrey Lebeya, on the day Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe was arrested in December 2024, amid ongoing probes into the murder of popular musician DJ Sumbody and related crimes.
This admission comes as fresh details emerge in the high-profile case surrounding the 2022 assassination of Oupa John Sefoka, better known as DJ Sumbody, who was gunned down in Woodmead, Johannesburg, in what police describe as a targeted hit that also claimed the life of his bodyguard. The case has exposed deep links between organised crime, political figures, and law enforcement, with recent arrests shedding light on a web of murders, fraud, and possible interference. Molefe, a Sandton businessman, faces charges including murder, conspiracy to murder, and possession of illegal firearms, with investigations revealing connections to at least 10 other high-profile cases, including the killing of Transnet engineer Armand Swart in April 2024.
Background on DJ Sumbody’s Tragic Death and the Investigation
DJ Sumbody, a beloved Pretoria-based artist and entrepreneur famous for hits like “Ayepyep” and his role in the amapiano music scene, was shot dead on 20 November 2022 while driving in Woodmead. His vehicle was riddled with bullets from AK-47 rifles, killing him and his bodyguard instantly, while a third occupant survived. Police believe the attack stemmed from a deadly underworld dispute possibly tied to business rivalries, drug networks, or tender fraud. For nearly two years, the case remained unsolved, highlighting South Africa’s low murder solve rate of just 11%, where impunity often allows criminals to operate freely amid a nexus of crime and power.
The breakthrough came in July 2025, when police arrested four suspects: Molefe, former police detective Michael Mabunda, and two others whose identities have not been fully disclosed pending further probes. The arrests followed meticulous forensic work, including ballistics tests linking firearms recovered during the operation to DJ Sumbody’s murder and other crimes, such as the Swart killing, which involved a Transnet tender fraud scandal worth millions.
Outside the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on 29 July 2025, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe revealed that the guns were tied to 10 additional high-profile cases, underscoring the suspects’ alleged involvement in a broader “death squad” network. The case has been postponed multiple times, with the latest hearing on 29 July 2025 delayed to 18 September 2025 for bail applications and further evidence gathering.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomed the arrests, stating that they mark a step towards justice for DJ Sumbody and his family, while calling for swift action against all involved in such targeted killings that rob communities of their talents. Investigations have also drawn in private firms like IRS Forensic Investigations, appointed in March 2025 to assist police in piecing together evidence from the assassination.
Malcolm X’s Role and His Call to Lebeya
In a recent interview, Malcolm X, a self-described “super consultant” in entertainment, construction, and media, opened up about his actions on 6 December 2024, the day Molefe was first arrested for the Swart murder—a case now linked to DJ Sumbody’s killing. Malcolm X said he received a frantic call from a client he described as Molefe’s brother or close friend, who feared Molefe was about to be kidnapped or killed by people posing as police officers.
Rushing to Molefe’s Sandton home alone, Malcolm X encountered 35 to 40 people in the yard, with vehicles outside, some without registration numbers. Suspicious of their refusal to show identification and noting some wore balaclavas, he demanded to speak to their commander. When they claimed to be Hawks officers sent by Lebeya, Malcolm X phoned the former Hawks head directly.
“I said, ‘General, there are people here who say they are Hawks, and they were sent by you to this operation,’” Malcolm X recalled. Lebeya, after verifying, called back to confirm no Hawks were involved and promised to send a team. Hawks officers Malcolm X knew personally arrived, confirmed the arresting team were legitimate police, and the arrest proceeded.
Malcolm X stressed he was not trying to stop the arrest but to verify the officers’ legitimacy, putting the call on speaker for all to hear. He denied Lebeya’s claim that he was a police informant who had provided credible information in the past, insisting their communications since 2023 were unrelated to any informant role or Molefe. “I’m not an informant as he says. I’ve never been registered as his informant,” Malcolm X said, adding he met Lebeya once in his Pretoria office on a separate matter and obtained his contact through high-level connections, including ministers.
He explained his client’s call stemmed from their long-standing business relationship in entertainment, where Malcolm X’s access to authorities made him a go-to for urgent help. However, reports noted inconsistencies, with Malcolm X initially telling media the caller was a friend of Molefe, later clarifying it as a brother-like bond. Malcolm X also contacted Gauteng police commissioner Elias Mawela after a press briefing, disputing claims of interference, though Mawela (referred to as Mkhwanazi in some accounts) did not respond immediately.
Lebeya has repeatedly denied interfering, stating he received the call from a source (now confirmed as Malcolm X) to check for Hawks involvement and found none. “I do not know their relationship… It’s not the first time that he’s providing the information,” Lebeya said in an interview, though he refused to reveal details for security reasons. He clarified that dispatching a verification team was standard procedure, not an attempt to halt the arrest.
Kenny Kunene’s Presence at the Scene and Political Fallout
Adding to the drama, Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy leader and Johannesburg MMC for Transport, Kenny Kunene, was found at Molefe’s home during the December 2024 arrest. Kunene, a long-time friend and business partner of Malcolm X since 2005 in entertainment ventures like nightclubs, claimed he was there accompanying a young journalist from Africa News Global for an exclusive interview with Molefe about the allegations against him.
Kunene denied any close ties to Molefe, saying, “Mr Molefe and I are NOT friends,” and suggested he might have been set up. PA leader Gayton McKenzie suspended Kunene for a month, allowing investigations to unfold, and defended him by claiming the link to Molefe was a “frame-up” amid political rivalries. Kunene resigned as councillor and MMC, stepping back from party activities.
This incident has fuelled concerns about political interference in law enforcement, with KwaZulu-Natal top cop Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleging a group of Hawks officers tried to stop Molefe’s arrest on Lebeya’s orders—claims Lebeya refutes. Malcolm X volunteered to testify at any inquiry, saying he would “force myself in” if not invited, to clear his name.
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