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Victor Majola tells court why he should get bail in DJ Warras murder case
A courtroom weighed down by grief and contradiction
The bail hearing of Victor Majola has laid bare two sharply different versions of the same story, each carrying heavy consequences. On one side is a man insisting he has been wrongly accused. On the other is a state determined to keep him behind bars for what it calls a carefully planned killing that shocked Johannesburg.
Majola is accused of orchestrating the murder of media personality Warrick Stock, widely known as DJ Warras, who was shot and killed outside the Zambesi Building in the Joburg CBD on December 16. The case has drawn intense attention because of DJ Warras’ public profile and the violent nature of the crime in a busy part of the city.
Majola’s case for bail
In an affidavit presented to the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court, the 44-year-old Majola painted a picture of stability. He told the court he is a self-employed taxi owner with assets worth more than R500,000. According to his version, he owns three taxis registered in his name and earns just over R5,000 a week, although he admitted the income varies.
Majola also claimed to be the sole breadwinner for 12 children between the ages of three and 21. He said some birth certificates could not be attached to his bail application because he could not locate all the children’s mothers.
Another key part of his argument was his claim that he has no passport, which he believes significantly reduces the risk of him fleeing the country. He told the court he would not risk forfeiting bail money and insisted there was no likelihood of him evading trial. He further stated that he has never been in trouble with the law and that his home address is well known to police, family, and the community.
Majola denied any involvement in DJ Warras’ killing, saying he was arrested while asleep and cooperated fully with police. He described the case against him as one of mistaken identity.
The state’s pushback
The state strongly disagreed. Investigating officer Captain Abe Montwedi told the court that several of Majola’s claims could not be verified. According to the officer, an identity parade suggested Majola has no children, and police could find no taxis registered in his name. Montwedi also disputed that Majola has a fixed address, saying he had moved between multiple locations in Johannesburg and did not own property in the city.
Prosecutors told the court the investigation is close to completion, with arrests imminent, including that of the alleged shooter and Majola’s girlfriend, Hlengiwe. Police allege that she was a tenant at the Zambesi Building and that she and Majola were illegally collecting rent from tenants.
The state outlined a long-running dispute linked to the building, dating back to 2018, after the death of the property owner. Rental income allegedly dropped sharply, and DJ Warras and his business partner were later brought in to help manage the property. Plans to introduce biometric access and improved security reportedly angered those accused of collecting rent unlawfully.
What police say happened that night
According to the investigation, DJ Warras returned to the building on December 16 to restore security cameras. Police allege Majola and two other men were seen nearby. A witness claims Majola pointed DJ Warras out moments before the shooting, after which one of the men allegedly fired several shots, and the group fled on foot.
CCTV footage from a nearby business is said to show Majola arriving with the alleged shooter, sitting together before the incident, and leaving together afterwards. Police later arrested Majola at a hostel in Soweto, where several mobile phones were seized. Investigators claim DJ Warras’ vehicle documents and papers belonging to his business partner were found on Majola’s phone, along with data allegedly shared by his girlfriend.
Montwedi warned that Majola could intimidate witnesses if released, including street vendors who were present at the scene.
A case that has gripped Joburg
Inside the courtroom, family members of DJ Warras wept as details of the killing were read into the record. Outside, the case continues to spark conversation across Joburg, particularly online, where many are watching closely to see how the court handles the competing claims.
Majola’s lawyer, Dumisani Mabunda, maintains his client is innocent and not a flight risk. The matter was postponed and is set to continue, with further evidence expected to be heard. For now, the court must decide whether Majola’s assurances outweigh the state’s concerns in a case that has already left a deep mark on the city.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: EWN
