DJ Warras murder: Police say arrest of murder suspect’s girlfriend and alleged shooter imminent
Police investigating the murder of popular media personality DJ Warrick Stock, known as DJ Warras, told a Johannesburg court that the arrest of the accused mastermind’s girlfriend is imminent as the case nears completion.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
The investigating officer in the murder case of popular media personality Warrick Stock, known as DJ Warras, told the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday that police will soon arrest the girlfriend of the accused mastermind behind the killing.
Captain Abe Montwedi said that during the formal bail application of Victor Majola, 44, who is facing charges of murder, premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
DJ Warras was shot dead on December 16 outside the Zambesi Building in Johannesburg’s CBD
Majola was arrested last month in connection with the killing.
Montwedi said the investigation was close to finalisation and that the arrest of the alleged shooter was imminent.
“The investigation is about to be finalised. Everything has been forwarded to forensic experts, including photographs, firearms and cartridges,” Montwedi told the court.
“I know who the shooter is. I will not mention his name, but I will arrest him.”
Montwedi said that once forensic examinations were completed, police would also arrest Majola’s girlfriend, Hlengiwe, who he alleged had previously threatened DJ Warras.
She is reportedly a tenant at the Zambesi Building, where DJ Warras’ security company had been contracted to provide services.
Investigators allege that she and Majola were illegally collecting rent from tenants.
The state further alleged that a video found on Majola’s phone, in which National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola previously spoke about imminent arrests, showed that the accused was closely following developments in the case.
The matter was postponed to Wednesday, January 14, for further evidence.
Earlier, the court heard that Majola allegedly said “Nangu lomuntu,” meaning “here he is,” moments before DJ Warras was shot.
Montwedi testified that the dispute stemmed from problems at the Zambesi Building dating back to 2018, when the original owner died and the property was inherited by his son.
The son later noticed rental income had dropped from more than R700,000 a month to about R400,000.
Investigations revealed that some tenants were allegedly collecting rent from other occupants and failing to pay it to the rightful owner.
DJ Warras and his business partner were brought in to assist.
They convened a meeting with tenants and announced plans to take over management of the building, introduce biometric access and issue resident permits.
“This angered those who were illegally collecting money,” Montwedi said, adding that Majola’s girlfriend was among them.
The group allegedly threatened DJ Warras, warning him that they would not allow him to “take money from their mouths”.
DJ Warras later applied for a protection order against six individuals, including Majola’s girlfriend.
Further threats were allegedly made during court proceedings related to that matter.
On December 16, DJ Warras returned to the building to restore security cameras.
Montwedi said Majola and two other men were seen sitting near street vendors outside the premises.
When DJ Warras exited the building and stood near his car while on the phone, a witness allegedly heard Majola speak in isiZulu to the other men, saying, “Nangu lomuntu.”
After DJ Warras ended the call and attempted to return inside, one of the men - described as wearing a rasta hat - allegedly shot him several times.
Murder accused Victor Mthethwa Majola, appeared at the Johannesburg magistrate court for his bail application, Mthethwa Majola is facing a premeditated murder charge for the murder of media personnel Warrick Stock, known as DJ Warras.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
The suspects then fled on foot. Montwedi said CCTV footage from a nearby butcher showed Majola arriving with the alleged shooter, sitting together before the incident and leaving together afterwards.
On December 22, police received information that Majola and his girlfriend were hiding in Soweto.
Montwedi said he arrested Majola at a hostel in Meadowlands, where he was found sleeping with his girlfriend.
Several mobile phones were seized during the arrest. Montwedi testified that DJ Warras’ vehicle registration documents were found on Majola’s phone, along with documents belonging to DJ Warras’ business partner.
He said data from the girlfriend’s phone showed that she had forwarded photographs and information to Majola.
A voice note allegedly revealed concerns among accomplices about whether police would uncover incriminating material.
“She said everything had been deleted,” Montwedi told the court.
An identity parade later identified Majola as the man who allegedly pointed DJ Warras out to the shooter.
Montwedi said Majola has no fixed address, has moved between various locations in Johannesburg and owns no property in the area.
He warned that Majola could intimidate witnesses, including street vendors.
“It is my humble request to this honourable court to keep the applicant behind bars,” Montwedi said.
Family members of DJ Warras wept in court as the officer detailed the killing.
Majola’s lawyer, Dumisani Mabunda, opposed the state’s position, arguing that his client did not commit the crime.
He said Majola does not have a passport and is not a flight risk.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
IOL News