The Execution of DJ Warass: A Murder With Layers of Mystery
On December 16th, 2024, in Johannesburgās central business district, the unthinkable happened: DJ Warass, a beloved South African radio personality and entrepreneur, was gunned down in broad daylight.
What appeared to be a random attack was anything but.
CCTV footage, released by the South African Police Service, revealed a calculated and professional hit that ties into a much larger, more dangerous network than anyone anticipated.
Tonight, we delve into the shocking details, the motives, and the far-reaching implications of DJ Warassās death.
DJ Warass, known off-air as Warwicktock, was more than just a radio personality.
He was an influential figure in South Africaās entertainment industry, beloved for his voice, his music, and his commitment to speaking uncomfortable truths.
But what led to his tragic end on a public street, just moments after stepping out of his building? The answer lies not only in his career and public persona but also in the dark underworlds of Johannesburg’s real estate, security industries, and criminal syndicates.
The Shocking Attack
It was around noon when DJ Warass, after finishing a busy day at work, parked his car in front of Zambzi House near the Carlton Center, a major Johannesburg landmark.
CCTV footage from the area captured his final moments.
As he exited his car, a short man with dreadlocks approached with chilling calm.
In an instant, gunshots rang out, and DJ Warass collapsed on the pavement.
Witnesses watched in shock as the two assailantsāone in a security uniformāwalked away from the crime scene with remarkable poise, blending into the busy city crowd.
What made this attack even more disturbing was that DJ Warass was armed.
He carried a firearm for protection but never got the chance to use it.
This was no spontaneous act of violence; it was a cold, calculated execution.
The perpetrators knew exactly what they were doing and had planned their escape with precision.
They didnāt panic or scramble for the victimās belongingsāno, this was not a robbery.
This was a message.
The Sinister Background
DJ Warass had a life that, on the surface, seemed as glamorous as any public figureās.
He was a popular voice on the radio, a successful entrepreneur, and a well-known DJ in South Africa’s entertainment circles.
However, lurking beneath the surface was a world of conflict and danger that few outside his inner circle were aware of.
His ties to the Johannesburg real estate market, especially to Zambzi House, were central to the mystery.
Zambzi House wasnāt just a buildingāit was a battleground.
Johannesburg, like many major cities, has a notorious issue with hijacked buildings, where criminal syndicates take control of abandoned properties and rent them out to desperate people.
The syndicates operate without oversight, using these buildings as cash cows, collecting rent from tenants living in horrific conditions.
These syndicates, while making millions, do not take kindly to anyone who threatens their profits, and thatās exactly what DJ Warass did.
Itās alleged that DJ Warass was working to evict unauthorized tenants and restore order to the building.
His plan to clean up Zambzi House and return it to its rightful owners threatened the entire operation of a criminal empire.
The hit on DJ Warass wasnāt a random act of violenceāit was a calculated decision made by those whose power and income were on the line.
The Private Security Industry and Rivalries
But Zambzi House was not the only dangerous terrain in which DJ Warass operated.
He also ran his own private security firm, JTVIP, which competed in the brutal and largely unregulated South African security industry.
This sector has long been riddled with corruption and violence, with companies using any means necessaryāincluding murdŃrāto outcompete rivals for lucrative contracts.
The security industry in South Africa is infamous for its cutthroat nature.
Similar to the violent taxi wars, where rival factions fight for control of routes, the security industryās battles can become deadly, with firms resorting to assassinations to eliminate competition.
The suspect in the security uniform at the scene of DJ Warassās murdŃr raises a chilling possibility.
Was the attack simply the result of a business rivalry? If DJ Warassās security firm had been stepping on someone elseās turf, itās not hard to imagine why theyād want him gone.
The Cartel Connection
But thereās another layer to this story, one that connects DJ Warassās murdŃr to a much larger, more sinister network.
During the time of his murdŃr, South Africa was grappling with a massive corruption scandal involving cartels infiltrating the highest levels of its justice system.
DJ Warass had been outspoken about these issues, using his platform to discuss corruption and organized crime, particularly in relation to the Zando Commissionāa government inquiry investigating drug cartels and corruption in the country.
DJ Warassās visibility and his willingness to speak truth to power made him a target.
Not because he had direct ties to the cartels, but because he was vocal, and in a world where cartels infiltrate every aspect of society, including law enforcement, speaking out was as dangerous as it was necessary.
His murdŃr wasnāt just about eliminating one personāit was about silencing a voice that could potentially inspire others to question the status quo.
The Hijacked Building Connection
Returning to the hijacked buildings, one of the most concerning aspects of the investigation is how the murdŃr fits into a broader pattern of violence tied to criminal syndicates controlling South Africaās urban spaces.
In Johannesburg, these hijacked buildings are not only a housing crisis but a business empire controlled by gangs.
These groups generate vast amounts of money from properties theyāve seized and rented out, all while evading government oversight.
The murdŃr of DJ Warass, co-owner of Zambzi House, could be a direct result of his efforts to take back control of that property.
The syndicates running the hijacked buildings rely on a constant stream of income from rent, and the loss of a building could have devastating financial consequences for them.
By attempting to restore the building to its rightful owners, DJ Warass put himself squarely in the crosshairs of those who stand to lose everything.
The Investigations and Breakthroughs
As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that DJ Warassās death was not a random act of violence.
Surveillance footage showed the meticulous planning and execution behind the murdŃr.
The two suspects were able to blend seamlessly into the crowd, disappearing without a trace.
The forensic evidence found at the scene, including the spent cartridges, suggested that the attackers were professionalsāwell-trained and experienced.
What truly cracked the case open, however, was the forensic analysis of financial transactions.
The 7000 rand used to pay the hitmen was traced back to Julius Muanazi, whose financial records were linked to a shell company used to facilitate payments for criminal activities.
The amount and structure of the payments indicated a professional hit, and when investigators dug deeper, they found evidence of a well-coordinated conspiracy involving several people with ties to organized crime.
The Legal and Public Fallout
Julius Muanaziās arrest was a turning point in this investigation.
As a prominent figure with deep political and business connections, his involvement in the murdŃr sent shockwaves through the country.
His case highlighted the systemic failures in South Africaās witness protection programs and the vast influence of criminal networks that reach into the highest levels of government and law enforcement.
The arrest and subsequent revelations have sparked public outrage.
Protests erupted in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban as people demanded justice for DJ Warass and accountability for those responsible.
The government, previously hesitant to act, has been forced to acknowledge the extent of the corruption that allowed such a brazen murdŃr to occur.
The trial of Muanazi and his co-conspirators is set to begin soon, and it will undoubtedly become one of the most high-profile cases in South African history.
The evidence against him is overwhelming, but as with many cases involving powerful figures, there are concerns about whether justice will truly be served.
The public remains divided, with some believing that the system will finally hold those in power accountable, while others fear that this case will follow the pattern of many before itāwhere arrests and media attention fizzle out without meaningful consequences.
A System in Need of Reform
DJ Warassās death is not just a tragedy for his family and the entertainment industryāit is a wake-up call for South Africaās justice system.
His murdŃr exposes the deep corruption within the countryās witness protection programs, the growing influence of organized crime, and the dangerous intersection of business and criminal activity that allows these syndicates to thrive.
The case has already led to calls for significant reform.
Activists and legal experts are demanding changes to the witness protection system, including better funding, enhanced security measures, and independent oversight.
The evidence against those involved in DJ Warassās murdŃr may be overwhelming, but the real test will come in the courtroom.

Will the justice system act on this evidence, or will powerful connections once again ensure that the truth remains buried?
As this investigation unfolds, itās clear that the consequences of DJ Warassās death extend far beyond his personal tragedy.
They represent a turning point in South Africaās fight against corruption and organized crime.
The world is watching, and the outcome of this case will determine whether South Africa can truly confront the power structures that have allowed violence to flourish unchecked.