JOHANNESBURG – The investigation into the murder of popular DJ Warrick “Warras” Stock took a significant turn as police revealed key suspect details, prompting a senior government minister to directly link the killing to Johannesburg’s crisis of hijacked buildings.
Gauteng police confirmed the primary suspect is a short man with dreadlocks, captured on CCTV approaching Warras outside Zambesi House near the Carlton Centre shortly after midday on Tuesday. He was shot as he walked toward his vehicle.
“When he left a building, about to go to his vehicle… there was a guy wearing dreadlocks, he took out a firearm [and] shot him. He tried to escape until he fell,” said Gauteng Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major-General Fred Kekana. He added that nothing was stolen and cartridges were recovered.
Police are pursuing three suspects in total, with video footage showing the shooter was accompanied by two others—one of whom appeared to be wearing clothing resembling a security uniform.
It was after these details emerged that Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture and Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie issued a blunt and emotional response, directly assigning a motive to the crime.
“I’m very sad… In fact I am very angry… And I can confirm that indeed DJ Warras has passed on, he’s been brutally killed,” McKenzie said.
He described Warras as a fearless patriot who never shied away from speaking his truth, even when it meant criticising those close to him.
“DJ Warras was a patriot, he was a lover of this country, he spoke his truth without fear or favour. He even critised me…that was a type of person DJ Warras was.”
McKenzie then tied the killing directly to criminal activity in the inner city: “Now why am I angry? He was totally against the hijacking of buildings. Illegal foreigners come here, they hijack buildings and today they’ve killed one of our own. I’m waiting for the Police Minister to tell us who killed him but I can bet my last cent that it is these illegal foreigners that have hijacked our buildings…and we are angry. And this story is not ending here.”
DJ Warras’ killing in context
Unconfirmed reports suggest DJ Warras was involved with a security company and may have been inspecting a building at the time of the shooting. This has once again brought attention to the dangers linked to building hijackings and organised crime in South Africa’s cities.
These concerns echo issues NOWinSA has previously exposed, including cases where SAPS admitted it “can’t force protection” after a Madlanga Commission witness was shot dead outside his home and explosive testimony where Namhla Mtwa claimed SAPS leadership protected a prime murder suspect.
NOWinSA has extensively covered the Madlanga Commission, including moments when former police commissioner Mkhwanazi dropped bombshell allegations implicating senior political figures, and when President Cyril Ramaphosa broke his silence amid claims of syndicate capture. Against this backdrop, Warras’ killing feels less like an isolated tragedy and more like part of a troubling national pattern.
Tributes marked by love — and fear
Those closest to DJ Warras remember him as passionate, outspoken and deeply proud of his country.
Prominent South African author, podcast host (The Penuel Show) and life coach, Penuel “The Black Pen” Mlotshwa wrote: “Loving father. Deep South African patriot. A passionate Zulu man. A fucking awesome brother. Hard worker. No-nonsense straight talker.”
Social media grief quickly turned to alarm. One post read: “Rest In Peace Warrick ‘DJ Warras’ Stock. This country has indeed become a Mafia state where those who try to end crime get assassinated.”
Another post captured the nation’s anxiety: “If people with security companies like DJ Warras and Marius van der Merwe are killed like flies, who are we?”
Former DA leader and Mmusi Maimane called the murder a national shock: “We have lost one of the most outspoken and patriotic young South Africans. We call upon the SAPS to arrest the hitmen and those who gave the order.”
A family’s plea
As police continue the manhunt, DJ Warras’ family has appealed for compassion and restraint. His sister, Nicole Stock, pleaded:
“People who are tweeting or posting videos, please, please I am pleading with all of you to remove them. He’s got three beautiful boys… we don’t want that.”
DJ Warras was more than a DJ — he was a father, a friend, and a man who believed in speaking up. His death has left South Africa mourning — and confronting the cost of unchecked violence.
NOWinSA — Stories Shaping South Africa Today.
