By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The investigating officer detailed events leading to the murder of slain media personality Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Warras was shot dead on December 16 outside the Zambesi Building in Johannesburg’s CBD.
Victor Mthethwa Majola was arrested last month in connection with the murder of Warras. He faces Schedule 6 charges of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Testifying for the state, investigating officer Abe Montwedi of the Gauteng Provincial Investigating Unit, told the court that prosecution described a carefully orchestrated killing rooted in a dispute over the management of Zambesi Flats.
Montwedi said, 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.
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, Warras was 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 2026.
Montwedi said on the day of the murder, 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 Warras stepped outside and stood near his vehicle while speaking on the phone, a witness heard Majola say in isiZulu, “Nangu lomuntu” or [“Here he is”].
Moments later, one of the men, described as wearing a rasta hat, shot Warras several times before the trio fled the scene on foot.
According to the prosecution, CCTV footage from a nearby butchery shows Majola arriving with the suspected shooter, sitting together before the shooting and leaving together afterwards.
Montwedi also testified that an identity parade was conducted, during which Majola was pointed out as the person who identified Warras to the shooter.
He further told the court that Warras’ vehicle registration documents were found on Majola’s phone, along with documents belonging to his business partner.
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.
The matter was postponed to Wednesday, January 14, for further evidence.
Throughout his career, Warras demonstrated dedication not only to entertainment but also to social responsibility. He leveraged his influence to mentor emerging talent, foster audience engagement, and speak out on matters of public concern.