DJ Warras murder case | Judgment reserved as state rejects CCTV claims

Judgment in the bail application of alleged DJ Warras mastermind, Victor Majola, has been reserved, with the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court expected to deliver its ruling later this month.

Majola faces charges of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder linked to the DJ’s fatal shooting in the Johannesburg CBD last year.

The State continues to oppose bail, insisting Majola poses a flight risk and should remain behind bars due to the seriousness of the charges.

As the court awaits judgment, prosecutors have distanced themselves from CCTV footage circulating in the public domain, which the defence claims casts doubt on Majola’s involvement.

The State told the court the video released by a media outlet is not the same footage currently undergoing forensic analysis at the South Africa Police Service (SAPS) laboratory in Pretoria.

According to prosecutors, their footage places three men at the scene, including Majola, while the third-party video shows only two individuals — a discrepancy they say is critical when assessing identity.

Despite this, Majola’s legal team has asked the court to present more evidence, arguing the nearly 50-second video constitutes new and relevant evidence.

The defence claims the footage shows the alleged shooter at the scene — and not Majola — directly contradicting the State’s version of events.

This follows an earlier ruling by Magistrate Annelise Thlapi, who refused an application to bring the CCTV footage before court, citing concerns over the chain of evidence.

The defence maintains that bail proceedings allow for a lower threshold of admissibility and that third-party evidence should be considered in the interest of justice.

The magistrate is expected to make her ruling on the bail application on 26 January 2025.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe