Warras murder case | Charges against second suspect withdrawn, other accused remains in custody

The case against one of the suspects linked to the murder of DJ and media personality Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock has been withdrawn, while the accused gunman will remain in custody until the new year.

Victor Majola made his first appearance at the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, where he was formally charged with premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Stock was shot multiple times on Reconciliation Day outside the Zambesi Building near the Carlton Centre in the Johannesburg CBD. He was approached by three unknown suspects, who fled the scene on foot after the shooting.

Majola entered the courtroom limping, with his face partially covered, before being instructed by the court to remove his hoodie and scarf. The state read out the charges and confirmed that it would oppose his release on bail.

His legal representative, Dumisani Mabunda, told the court that the 44-year-old sustained injuries during his arrest and requires medical attention.

“This accused seeks medical attention, he instructs me that he was arrested on Monday he was assaulted by the po lice and suffered serious injuries on his body – on his hands and some other parts of his body,” Mabunda said.

Mabunda added that Majola has no previous convictions, no pending cases, and no outstanding warrants of arrest.

The magistrate warned Majola that he is facing a Schedule Six offence, which carries the possibility of a life sentence if convicted.

Police had initially arrested two suspects in connection with Stock’s murder. However, the state confirmed that it lacked sufficient evidence against the second suspect, a woman, and charges against her have been provisionally withdrawn pending further investigations.

Majola will remain in custody over the Christmas and New Year period after the matter was postponed to 6 January for the verification of his residential address, after which a formal bail application date will be set.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe