Why Victor Majola says he should get bail in DJ Warras murder case

The  44-year-old man accused of masterminding the murder of media personality Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras, has told the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court that he is a self-employed taxi owner with substantial assets worth more than R500,00 and no reason to flee.

Victor Majola made the claims in an affidavit submitted on Tuesday during his formal bail application. 

DJ Warras was shot dead on December 16 outside the Zambesi Building in Johannesburg’s CBD.

Majola was arrested last month and faces charges of murder, premeditated murder, and conspiracy to commit murder. 

His bail application, which had previously been postponed at the state’s request, resumed on Tuesday, January 13.

In his affidavit, Majola told the court he owns three taxis, has more than 30 cows in KwaZulu-Natal and movable assets worth over R500,000. 

He said he earns just over R5,000 a week from his taxi business, though income fluctuates.

“I am self-employed as a taxi owner. I have three taxis registered in my name,” Majola said. 

“Some days I make more, sometimes I make less.”

He also claimed to be the sole breadwinner for 12 children, aged between three and 21. 

Majola said he was unable to attach all birth certificates to his application because some of the children’s mothers could not be located.

“All of my children rely on me for financial support since I’m the breadwinner at home,” he said.

Majola told the court he does not have a passport, arguing that this significantly reduces any flight risk.

“I submit that I’m not a person who could easily forfeit any bail money,” he said. “There is no likelihood of me evading trial.”

He said police found him sleeping when they arrested him in the early hours of December 22 and that he cooperated fully.

“My address is well known to the state, my family, the community and my colleagues,” he said, adding that he had never been in trouble with the law before.

Majola denied any involvement in the killing and claimed the state had arrested the wrong person.

“I did not kill the deceased, nor was I involved in the planning of his killing,” he said. “This is a case of mistaken identity.”

However, the state strongly opposed bail. Investigating officer Captain Abe Montwedi told the court that several of Majola’s claims were false. 

He said an identity parade revealed that Majola has no children and that police could find no taxis registered in his name.

Montwedi also disputed Majola’s claim that he has a fixed address, saying the accused had moved between several locations in Johannesburg and owned no property locally.

He said that the investigation was close to completion and that arrests were imminent, including that of the alleged shooter and Majola’s girlfriend, Hlengiwe.

“The investigation is about to be finalised,” Montwedi said. 

“Everything has been forwarded to forensic experts, including photographs, firearms and cartridges. I know who the shooter is, and I will arrest him.”

According to the state, Hlengiwe was a tenant at the Zambesi Building, where DJ Warras’ security company had been contracted. 

Investigators allege she and Majola were illegally collecting rent from tenants.

Montwedi said the dispute at the building dates back to 2018, when the property owner died and the building was inherited by his son. 

Rental income allegedly dropped from more than R700,000 a month to about R400,000.

DJ Warras and his business partner were later brought in to assist with managing the property. 

Plans to introduce biometric access and new security measures reportedly angered those allegedly collecting rent illegally.

Threats were allegedly made against DJ Warras, and he later applied for a protection order against six people, including Hlengiwe.

On December 16, DJ Warras returned to the building to restore security cameras. 

Montwedi said Majola and two other men were seen sitting nearby.

When DJ Warras stood outside his car while on the phone, a witness allegedly heard Majola say in isiZulu, “Nangu lomuntu” - meaning “Here he is.”

Moments later, one of the men allegedly shot DJ Warras several times before the suspects fled on foot.

CCTV footage from a nearby butcher allegedly shows Majola arriving with the shooter, sitting together before the incident and leaving together afterwards.

Montwedi said police later arrested Majola at a hostel in Soweto, where he was found sleeping with his girlfriend. Several mobile phones were seized.

He told the court that DJ Warras’ vehicle registration documents and papers belonging to the DJ’s business partner were found on Majola’s phone. 

Data from the girlfriend’s phone allegedly showed she had forwarded information and photographs to Majola.

Montwedi warned that Majola could intimidate witnesses, including street vendors who were present at the scene.

“It is my humble request to this honourable court to keep the applicant behind bars,” he said.

Family members of DJ Warras wept in court as details of the killing were presented.

Majola’s lawyer, Dumisani Mabunda, maintained his client’s innocence and argued that he was not a flight risk.

The matter was postponed and is set to continue on Wednesday, January 14, when further evidence is expected to be heard.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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