By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Mozambiquan national Armindo Joaquim Pacula, accused of killing Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock, will remain in custody after a Johannesburg Magistrate court postponed his bail application to 9 February 2026.
Pacula appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court for the first time on Monday, 2 February 2026.
He is facing charges of murder and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Stock was gunned down on December 16, 2025, as he exited a building near the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg’s central business district.
Pacula was arrested during a Crime Intelligence-led operation in the Marathon informal settlement in Primrose on Friday night.
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson, Brigadier Brenda Muridili said. “The Gauteng Serious and Violent Crimes Investigation’s Provincial Investigation Unit has, during a Crime Intelligence-led take-down operation, arrested another suspect in connection with the murder of DJ Warras.”
“The 25-year-old suspect, a Mozambican national, was arrested in Marathon informal settlement in Primrose around 20:00 on 30 January 2026,” Muridili said.
During the proceedings, State Prosecutor Vincent Mochabela highlighted complexities surrounding Pacula’s situation, indicating the State’s opposition to his bail application.
He further expressed concerns regarding Pacula’s questionable immigration status, saying, “The accused’s address remains unclear, and no passport for verification has been provided.”
The magistrate cautioned Pacula that a conviction could result in a life sentence. Pacula opted for legal representation from Legal Aid South Africa.
Despite having no legal documents permitting him to be in South Africa, the defence informed the court of Pacula’s intention to pursue a bail application.
Mochabela requested a postponement to allow authorities time to verify Pacula’s place of residence and immigration status. The postponement was granted.
Meanwhile, Pacula’s co-accused Victor Majola, 44, is scheduled to return to court on February 11 after he was denied bail by the same court. Mochabela requested that the court deny him bail. He argued that the accused was likely to evade trial.