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DJ Warras Was Not Acting for the City When He Was Shot, Joburg Confirms
What really happened outside Zambezi House
The City of Johannesburg has moved quickly to shut down speculation following the fatal shooting of media personality DJ Warras, whose real name was Warrick Stock. Officials have confirmed that he was neither the owner of the Zambezi Building nor acting on behalf of the city at the time he was killed.
The shooting took place shortly after midday on Tuesday, 16 December, outside Zambezi House in the Johannesburg CBD, directly opposite the iconic Carlton Centre. It was a busy hour in an already crowded part of the city, making the incident all the more unsettling for passersby, workers, and nearby shop owners.
CCTV footage reveals chilling details
Video footage circulating among investigators shows a short man with dreadlocks approaching Warras as he exited the building. The suspect opened fire at close range before attempting to flee the scene. Cartridges were later found on the pavement, confirming that the shooting was not a drive-by attack.
Another individual, reportedly dressed in a security uniform, was also seen sitting near Warras’ car in separate footage. Police are now working to trace both suspects as well as the firearm used in the attack.
Gauteng acting provincial commissioner Major General Fred Kekana has confirmed that detectives are actively pursuing leads and analysing the footage as part of the murder investigation.
City distances itself from private security claims
In the days following the killing, questions began circulating about whether Warras was operating as part of a city-sanctioned operation linked to so-called hijacked buildings in the inner city. The City of Johannesburg has firmly denied this.
According to Alex Mandlazi, spokesperson for Public Safety MMC Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, Warras was engaging with an independent security company about the possible implementation of biometric access control systems at the building. This engagement, however, had nothing to do with the municipality.
The city has stressed that it does not contract private security companies to secure or monitor hijacked or bad buildings. Officials reiterated that Imperium Security, a private company linked to Warras, was engaged solely through a private agreement initiated by the property owner’s legal representatives.
Inside the Zambezi Building situation
Zambezi House reportedly accommodates around 250 occupants, with about half of them allegedly not paying rent. Some residents are also believed to be living in the building illegally, a reality that reflects the wider challenges facing Johannesburg’s inner city.
City officials have pointed out that the biggest hurdle in addressing hijacked buildings is not enforcement but rather the lack of alternative accommodation for displaced occupants. Restoring law and order in the CBD remains a stated priority, but it is a slow and complex process shaped by housing shortages and legal constraints.
Public reaction and a city on edge
News of the shooting spread quickly across social media, with many Joburg residents expressing shock that such a brazen attack could happen in broad daylight near one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Others questioned the safety of private security contractors working in volatile inner-city environments where tensions around rent, evictions, and control of buildings often run high.
For many, the clarification from the city has helped separate fact from rumour, particularly amid growing public anxiety about crime in the CBD.
Family asks for privacy as investigation continues
As police continue to hunt for the suspects, the family of DJ Warras has asked for privacy while they process the loss and await answers. For now, investigators remain focused on tracking down those responsible and understanding the full motive behind the killing.
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Source: IOL
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