Johannesburg, December 26, 2025 – The brutal murder of popular South African DJ and media personality Warrick Stock, known as DJ Warras, continues to grip the nation, with fresh scrutiny intensifying around CCTV footage and the identity of the killer following the court appearance of a suspect.

Stock, 40, was gunned down in broad daylight on December 16 outside Zambesi House in Johannesburg’s CBD, a building he was reportedly helping reclaim from hijackers. Police described the attack as a targeted hit, with CCTV capturing a short man with dreadlocks – dressed in what appeared to be a security uniform – firing multiple shots before fleeing with accomplices.

On Christmas Eve, Victor Mthethwa Majola appeared in Johannesburg Magistrates Court charged with premeditated murder. Photos and videos from the hearing circulated widely, prompting an outpouring of scepticism online. Many noted that Majola does not match the dreadlocked shooter’s description from the footage. “This guy doesn’t have dreads – where’s the real killer?” one viral comment read. Others demanded: “Release the full CCTV! Is this the gunman or just a fall guy?”

While no verified neighbour has publicly “broken silence” in major reports, social media speculation and unconfirmed claims have fueled theories of a more calculated plot, possibly linked to criminal syndicates controlling hijacked buildings. DJ Warras had secured five protection orders in the months before his death, amid threats related to his anti-crime efforts.

A close friend and business associate, Nicole Nelson, spoke out earlier, describing the killing as a “clear targeted hit.” Police confirmed three suspects were involved, with two initially detained and one – Majola – formally charged. Charges against a second suspect were provisionally withdrawn.

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola promised swift arrests, and investigators raided hostels and the building itself, questioning occupants. Motive appears tied to Stock’s work evicting illegal tenants and fighting urban decay – a dangerous endeavour in Joburg’s crime-riddled inner city.

Fans and celebrities, including Mmusi Maimane, have decried the “brazen” daylight assassination, highlighting South Africa’s soaring murder rate. Tributes poured in for the “Shady Lurker,” remembered as a devoted father, storyteller, and passionate music lover.

Majola’s case was postponed to January 2026, with him remaining in custody. Police insist the investigation is ongoing, following leads on accomplices and potential masterminds.

As doubts swirl over whether justice is truly closing in on the dreadlocked gunman seen on CCTV, the public remains on edge. What began as a shocking execution has evolved into a divisive probe, raising painful questions about hits-for-hire, syndicates, and whether the full truth will ever surface.

For DJ Warras’s family, still mourning over the holidays, the wait for closure continues. This development may not change everything – but it has reignited calls for transparency in a case that has exposed the violent underbelly of Johannesburg.