Joe " Ferrari" links attacks on DJ Sumbody and DJ Vettys to association with him

Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, a prominent Mpumalanga taxi business owner, testified before the Madlanga Commission on Friday that musicians Oupa “DJ Sumbody” Sefoka and Seunkie “DJ Vettys” Mokubung may have been targeted due to their close association with him. The claim came during a session where Sibanyoni detailed his long-standing ties to Sefoka’s family, which began in the taxi industry and extended into social circles. According to Sibanyoni, these connections placed both artists within a network of individuals linked to him, making them potential targets in a larger conflict. Sefoka was fatally shot in Johannesburg in 2022, while Mokubung survived an attack in 2024. Sibanyoni described his familiarity with Sefoka's father, stating they had known each other for approximately three decades, largely through their shared involvement in the taxi sector. He emphasized that their relationship went beyond professional ties, extending into personal and social domains. “We knew each other in the social spaces,” he stated during his testimony. Sibanyoni further explained that the attacks on the two DJs were part of a broader pattern affecting individuals connected to him, regardless of their specific roles or backgrounds. “The attempted life of DJ Vettys, and Sefoka being killed, it was a matter of people that are close to me, irrespective of whether they were in the taxi industry or we were socialising together,” he said. When asked directly whether he believed the musicians were attacked because of their proximity to him, Sibanyoni confirmed the assertion. His remarks align with ongoing investigations into a violent dispute over a stolen R200 million cocaine shipment. The case has led to multiple high-profile killings and attempted murders, with police recovering firearms, including an AK-47, that have been ballistically linked to several incidents. Among those charged in connection with the case are Katiso “KT” Molefe, along with alleged hitmen Michael Pule Tau, Tiego Floyd Mabisela, and Musa Kekana. These individuals face 35 combined charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms. Their trial is set to commence in the South Gauteng High Court on October 26, 2026. Sibanyoni is anticipated to undergo cross-examination at the Madlanga Commission on September 21. The ongoing legal proceedings highlight the complex interplay between organized crime, the taxi industry, and local power structures. As the investigation unfolds, authorities continue to gather evidence and seek statements from witnesses to build a comprehensive understanding of the events surrounding the attacks on Sefoka and Mokubung.