Johannesburg Mourns as DJ Warras' Vision for the City Cut Short by Brutal Murder
Johannesburg is in mourning following the tragic murder of DJ Warras, a media personality who harboured a deep love for the city and a fervent desire to see it transformed into a place where families could thrive. His ambitious mission to "take back" Johannesburg's central business district (CBD) and reclaim buildings seized by criminal elements has been abruptly halted by his untimely death.
DJ Warras was attacked outside Zambezi House in Johannesburg’s CBD on Tuesday, December 16th. Zambezi House is home to approximately 250 occupants, with reports suggesting that around half are not paying rent. CCTV footage captured the chilling moment when a short man with dreadlocks approached Warras shortly after noon and opened fire. A second suspect, dressed in a security uniform, was also spotted near Warras' car. Police have recovered cartridges from the scene and are actively tracing both suspects and the murder weapon.
The City of Johannesburg has clarified that Warras was not with the building owner at the time of the shooting. According to officials, he was contracted through his private security firm, Imperium Security, to secure the premises and assist with rent collection using biometric access control systems. This arrangement was a private initiative and not mandated by the city.
In a recent interview, Warras openly discussed the challenges of revitalising the city's dilapidated properties. He highlighted the difficulties faced when trying to address the issue of unpaid rent and building neglect. "We have buildings in the CBD wasting away because people aren’t paying rent," he stated. "If we try to fix them, we’re told we can’t remove anyone unless we provide alternative accommodation. Ten lawyers will be on your back within an hour. But someone has to take responsibility; everyone comes from somewhere."
Warras believed that the majority of tenants, around 85 to 90%, were hardworking individuals seeking a safe place to live, work, and raise their families. He identified a small minority who resisted progress and any form of improvement. He voiced his conviction that ActionSA president Herman Mashaba possessed the capability to drive real change in Johannesburg, lamenting that past efforts had been obstructed. "Honestly, the only person who has proven to me that he can do what it takes in Johannesburg is Mashaba," Warras said.
He was also forthright about political leadership in Johannesburg, expressing his reservations about Helen Zille, the chairperson of the DA’s federal council, as the right person to fix the city.
Warras argued that Mashaba’s attempts to confront issues such as illegal immigration and urban decay were undermined by political opposition and certain non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which he claimed benefited from the city's disorder. "When he started making an impact, he was labelled xenophobic, but that was never the case. I don’t care what people call me – racist, xenophobic, or sexist – I’m about getting the work done," he added.
Zwelithini Mtshali, ActionSA Gauteng media officer, speaking to The Star, emphasised that the hijacking of buildings was orchestrated by organised criminal syndicates and should be treated as a serious crime. He called for specialised law enforcement units, supported by dedicated courts and reporting hotlines, to dismantle these networks and protect whistleblowers. "Dealing with foot soldiers is ineffective because it leaves the masterminds behind this scourge intact," Mtshali said. He also warned that the erosion of the rule of law was fuelling urban decay and criminality. "A city with no rule of law is unsustainable," he stated, advocating for specialised units empowered to follow money trails and dismantle organised crime structures.
Mtshali highlighted ActionSA's existing council approval for an inner-city rejuvenation plan, which includes the transfer of 154 properties, including 37 abandoned factories, to private developers. This project is expected to create 22,000 construction jobs and deliver 14,000 social housing units. However, he noted that the resolution had stalled due to a lack of political will.
Mtshali also commented on the killing of Warras, describing it as concerning that Warras had been outspoken against hijacked buildings and had reportedly secured five protection orders against some occupants of the Zambezi Building. "We will await the outcome of the police investigation and pursue the necessary actions thereafter," he said.
Mtshali reiterated ActionSA's commitment to eradicating hijacked buildings, citing Mashaba’s record between 2016 and 2019 and ActionSA-led interventions in Tshwane, where buildings have been successfully reclaimed. "This is not electioneering," he asserted. "In Johannesburg and Tshwane, we have shown that consequence management is possible." He added that vulnerable occupants would be provided with alternative accommodation, biometric systems would be installed to ensure lawful occupation, and officials who fail to act must face consequences. "South Africa cannot afford officials who turn a blind eye to lawlessness," Mtshali concluded.
The investigation into DJ Warras' murder is ongoing, leaving many to reflect on his passion for Johannesburg and his unwavering commitment to its betterment. His vision for a safer, more prosperous city remains a powerful call to action.
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