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Katiso "KT" Molefe murder trial postponed to July 2027

Published

The Johannesburg High Court postponed the trial of Molefe and three co-accused, which was due to start on Monday. It will begin on 19 July 2027, after the Vusimusi Matlala trial ends, because some accused face both cases.

Molefe, Michael Pule Tau, Tiego Floyd Mabusela and Musa Kekana face 35 charges. These include the murders of DJ Sumbody and Armand Swart. Two of the four are also accused in the Matlala trial, which is still under way.

Prosecutor Elize Le Roux said the state aims to end the Matlala trial by the end of the second term next year. She told the court the case is moving at "a glacial pace". She also said it is impractical to run both matters at once because the same lawyer acts in both.

Judge Thifhelimbilu Phanuel Mudau warned against a delay like the one in the Senzo Meyiwa trial. He told lawyers to plan for a continuous trial and to line up their witnesses. Molefe's lawyer, Michael Hellens, said the defence did not oppose the postponement.

Key facts

Who
Katiso Molefe (accused in the murder trial; alleged 'Big Five' member); Phanuel Mudau (judge presiding in the Johannesburg High Court); Elize Kruger (prosecutor); Vusimuzi Matlala (accused in the related case, described as an alleged underworld figure)
What
Judge Phanuel Mudau postponed the murder trial of alleged 'Big Five' member Katiso 'KT' Molefe to 19 July 2027, warning against a repeat of delays seen in the Senzo Meyiwa trial. The Molefe trial cannot proceed while the related Matlala case is still partly heard.
When
26 October 2026
Where
Johannesburg
Status
Reported

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