DJ Warras murder case | Court rejects CCTV bid as defence closes bail arguments

The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court has dismissed the defence’s application to access CCTV footage linked to the murder of media personality Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock, while the defence has formally concluded with its bail arguments — placing the onus on the State to justify the continued detention of alleged mastermind Victor Majola.

On Thursday Magistrate Annelise Thlapi ruled that she would not interfere with the forensic analysis of the footage, which is currently being examined at a Pretoria laboratory. She added that the existence of the video does not alter Majola’s legal burden to prove exceptional circumstances for bail in a Schedule 6 offence.

The defence had argued that access to the footage was critical to support Majola’s bail application. The court was told that once forensic analysis is complete, a formal report will be submitted and the defence will gain access to the findings. At this stage, the magistrate indicated she is satisfied with the evidence already before the court.

The State maintains that the footage shows Majola communicating with the alleged gunmen before and after DJ Warras was fatally shot outside the Zambesi Building, in Johannesburg’s CBD.

During final submissions, Majola’s lawyer, Advocate Dumisani Mabunda, launched a scathing attack on the State’s case — saying the deceased “was not an angel” and that investigators failed to properly consider alternative motives and suspects.

Mabunda argued that police had misled the court, contradicted themselves on key evidence, and failed to place Majola at the centre of the alleged plot.

He further maintained that there is no proof linking Majola to the alleged shooters, no evidence of a conspiracy, and no factual basis to deny him bail — insisting the State’s case would not withstand scrutiny at trial.

After days of legal argument, the defence officially closed its bail case, raising concerns about delays and alleged inconsistencies in the investigation. Mabunda told the court that an accused person cannot be kept behind bars indefinitely without credible evidence being presented.

The matter has now been postponed to Friday, when the State, led by prosecutor Vincent Mochabela, will be required to convince the court that Majola’s continued detention is in the interests of justice.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe