By Johnathan Paoli
The bail application of Victor Majola, the man accused of murdering popular media personality Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock, is set to continue tomorrow morning in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court after proceedings could not be completed due to time constraints.
Majola, 44, appeared in court as his long-awaited bail application formally got under way, with the state indicating it will strongly oppose his release.
He faces Schedule 6 charges of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder following the fatal shooting of DJ Warras on 16 December 2025 in Johannesburg’s central business district.
DJ Warras was shot and killed outside the Zambesi Building, near the Carlton Centre, where his security company had been contracted to audit and enforce security measures.
His murder sent shockwaves through the media and entertainment industry, as well as among residents concerned about criminality linked to hijacked buildings in the inner city.
Testifying for the state, investigating officer Captain Abe Montwedi of the Gauteng Provincial Investigating Unit laid out what the prosecution described as a carefully orchestrated killing rooted in a dispute over the management of Zambesi Flats.
Montwedi told the court that the original owner of the building died in 2018, after which his son inherited the property.
Over time, the son noticed rental income drop dramatically from more than R700,000 a month to about R400,000, prompting suspicions that tenants were paying rent to unauthorised individuals.
According to Montwedi, it later emerged that an informal committee within the building had been collecting rent illegally.
DJ Warras and his business partner were approached in mid-2025 to assist the owner in restoring proper management, introducing biometric access control and tightening security.
“This angered those who were illegally collecting money,” Montwedi testified, adding that Majola’s girlfriend was among the individuals involved.
He said DJ Warras was allegedly threatened and later applied for protection orders against six people, including Majola’s girlfriend.
Although the protection orders were not granted, the matter was scheduled to return to court in February.
Montwedi said on the day of the murder, DJ Warras returned to the building to restore security cameras.
Majola and two other men were allegedly seen sitting near street vendors outside the building for about 45 minutes.
When DJ Warras stepped outside and stood near his vehicle while speaking on the phone, a witness allegedly heard Majola say in isiZulu, “Nangu lomuntu” or [“Here he is”].
Moments later, one of the men, described as wearing a rasta hat, allegedly shot DJ Warras several times before the trio fled the scene on foot.
According to the prosecution, CCTV footage from a nearby butchery allegedly shows Majola arriving with the suspected shooter, sitting together before the killing and leaving together afterwards.
Montwedi also testified that an identity parade was conducted, during which Majola was pointed out as the person who identified DJ Warras to the shooter.
Majola was arrested on 22 December in Meadowlands, Soweto, following information received from an informant.
Police seized several cellphones during the arrest.
Montwedi told the court that one of the phones contained DJ Warras’ vehicle registration documents and paperwork belonging to his business partner, allegedly forwarded to Majola by his girlfriend.
A voice note retrieved from her phone reportedly suggested concerns about whether incriminating material had been deleted.
Montwedi warned that Majola has no fixed address, moved between different locations prior to his arrest, and could intimidate witnesses, including street vendors who may be crucial to the case.
He also said there are still outstanding suspects.
“It is my humble request to this honourable court to keep the applicant behind bars,” Montwedi said.
Majola’s legal representative, Dumisani Mabunda, disputed the state’s version and read from his client’s affidavit, in which Majola denied any involvement in the murder and claimed police had arrested the wrong person.
Mabunda said Majola has no previous convictions, no passport, and poses no flight risk.
He told the court that his client is a taxi owner, earns about R5,000 a week, supports 12 children and has movable assets worth more than R500,000.
Majola also alleged that police assaulted him during his arrest and fabricated evidence against him, insisting there is no forensic, cellphone or video footage linking him to the crime; and claimed that he was not read his rights during his arrest.
He maintained that he was in Soweto at the time of the shooting and described the case as one of mistaken identity.
The state is expected to continue leading evidence when the bail hearing resumes tomorrow, with the court set to weigh sharply conflicting versions in the case.
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