By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Judgment has been reserved to 26 January in the bail application of Victor Majola who is accused of the assasination of the popular media personality Warrick “Dj Warras” Stock.
Majola appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday for his bail application.
On Friday, court was supposed to hear the State’s closing arguments but defence lawyer Dumisani Mabunda had obtained new evidence that might assist his client in the bail application.
“Before the state proceeded, I just need to please address the court. Your worship, I want to bring an application to actually reopen the case based on new evidence of video footage that we want to actually help this court with, “said Mabunda.
This footage is actually from third parties. Your worship, we do not know whether that video footage is in the state’s possession. But as far as the court is concerned, your worship, it’s reliable footage that is in possession of Eyewitness News.”
Magistrate Annalise Tlhapi asked: “Is it reliable, and from what you said, you are not sure. So I want to say to you, is it a reliable source, and is it the same as what the state had?”
Your worship, we don’t know what video footage the state has since the court decided that particular video footage was not necessary for these proceedings. So now, as we have always maintained, it is a matter of public interest,” responded Mabunda.
Tlhapi lamented that the defence always seemed to file new applications immediately after closing its arguments, further delaying the proceedings.
State prosecutor Vincent Mochabela objected to the application, saying the defence should have obtained all its evidence before the case commenced.
“Well-experienced attorneys, before they start with their paid application, they may make sure that they investigate their case thoroughly, gather all the information. Before they can begin the paid application, gather all required information, “argued Mochabela.
“So in this one matter, my learned friend, all the time, he closes the case all the time, then supplementary evidence. New evidence. And therefore, the state requests that the court dismiss the defence’s request.
The magistrate granted the defence’s request.
She further warned Mabunda that the state may also use the new evidence against Majola at a later stage.
Majola faces charges of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder — both schedule 6 offences — which place a heavy burden on the defence to demonstrate exceptional circumstances justifying his release on bail.
The state continues to oppose Majola’s release, arguing that the seriousness of the charges and the evidence already presented outweigh the defence’s claims.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved judgment.
Warras was shot and killed outside a Johannesburg building on the 16th of December 2025 in the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD).