Two Arrested in Connection with Murder of DJ Warras
Johannesburg – Two suspects have been apprehended in connection with the murder of Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock, Gauteng police announced on Monday. The well-known media personality, aged 40, was fatally shot last Tuesday outside Zambezi House, near Carlton Centre in the Johannesburg CBD.
According to sources, DJ Warras was assisting with the enforcement of a court-ordered eviction against illegal tenants when the tragic incident occurred. His private security company had recently been contracted to help secure the property, which houses approximately 200 residents. It is understood that about half of these residents were reportedly not paying rent, making the building a focal point in Johannesburg’s ongoing hijacked building crisis.
Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that the two suspects were initially brought in for questioning by the serious and violent crime investigations team earlier on Monday. Detectives successfully apprehended the pair at approximately 02:00 at a hostel in Soweto.
“They will be charged with the murder of DJ Warras and will appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 24 December,” said Muridili. The suspects are expected to face a judge where further details surrounding the case may be revealed.
News24 understands that Stock had been present at the building from early in the morning last Tuesday, alongside the building’s supervisor. Insiders close to the investigation revealed that Stock received a phone call requesting that he come downstairs shortly before the shooting.
Upon exiting the building, Stock was confronted by three men near his car. One of the men, armed with a firearm, shot him at close range. The assailants immediately fled the scene. Police sources have indicated that Stock’s firearm, wallet, and cellphone were not taken during the incident, suggesting that robbery may not have been the primary motive.
The Gauteng government swiftly issued a statement following the arrest, welcoming the “swift” action by law enforcement. The statement highlighted the distressing nature of the crime, noting that Stock’s commitment to combating criminal activities and building a crime-free city may have cost him his life.
“We find it distressing that his admirable stand against criminal activities and his commitment to the building of a crime-free city are believed to have cost him his life,” the statement read. The government emphasised the need to address the issue of hijacked buildings and the violent syndicates that control them.
The province further stated that the “cold-hearted murder of a community-oriented and socially conscious entrepreneur like DJ Warras must serve as a line in the sand for our city and our province.” This sentiment underscores the gravity of the situation and the determination to bring those responsible to justice.
The Gauteng government expressed its resolve to expedite efforts to dismantle the scourge of hijacked buildings and the violent syndicates that control them, adding that the arrest sends a clear message that “reckless and vicious criminality” will not go unpunished in our province.
Acting Gauteng Premier Jacob Mamabolo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting law enforcement agencies as they continue their investigation to ensure a watertight prosecution. He acknowledged the profound loss caused by Stock’s murder and pledged to intensify efforts to combat criminal networks in the region.
“We are resolved that from this profound loss must emerge a stronger, more coordinated, and relentless effort to dismantle the criminal networks that undermine the security and prosperity of Gauteng residents,” said Mamabolo.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward. The arrest of the two suspects marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for DJ Warras and his family. The community awaits further developments as the case progresses through the courts.
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