DJ Warras murder case | CCTV footage takes centre stage in suspect’s bail hearing

The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court is expected on Thursday to rule on whether CCTV footage allegedly capturing the fatal shooting of DJ and businessman, DJ Warras, will be presented as evidence in the bail application of accused mastermind, Victor Majola.

Magistrate Annelise Thlapi ordered that the footage — recorded by a security camera at a nearby butchery — be submitted and viewed, after the State said it forms a crucial part of its case against Majola.

The bail hearing took a dramatic turn on Wednesday, with renewed focus on the availability and handling of the surveillance material believed to capture events before, during, and after the December shooting.

Magistrate Thlapi instructed investigating officer Captain Abe Montwedi to step outside the courtroom and urgently contact the owner of the butchery to determine whether a copy of the footage was still available. This followed concerns that retrieving the material from SAPS forensic services in Pretoria could compromise the chain of custody.

The footage is said to show up to 45 minutes of movement involving the alleged gunman and Majola, who the State claims orchestrated the killing.

Majola’s lawyer, Dumisani Mabunda, argued that denying the defence access to the footage could amount to a miscarriage of justice, stressing the defence has the right to scrutinise all evidence presented in court.

The magistrate suggested investigators attempt to obtain a freshcopy directly from the business to avoid potential forensic delays. Captain Montwedi was then instructed to immediately contact the owner and report back to court without adjourning proceedings.

However, Montwedi later told the court that the footage is only retained for ten days and had been deleted after it was submitted to the police.

The State maintained that its case does not rely solely on the CCTV footage, citing compelling evidence including witness testimony and cellphone records placing Majola at the centre of the alleged plot.

Prosecutors allege the 44-year-old was seen with the alleged shooter both before and after the fatal shooting. According to the State, Majola was also allegedly captured on CCTV at Fox Street with the suspects shortly after the killing and was allegedly heard by a street vendor saying, “Nangu lo muntu,” pointing out DJ Warras moments before he was shot multiple times.

Police have described the alleged shooter as a short African male with dreadlocks, wearing a navy-blue security uniform at the time of the attack.

The case returns to court on Thursday, with further submissions expected from both the State and the defence.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe