The Murder of DJ Warass: A Chilling Conspiracy Unraveled
On the evening of December 15, 2024, South African music icon DJ Warass was tragically gunned down in Johannesburg’s bustling central business district (CBD).
The death of Warass, known for his pioneering role in the Bikardi House movement, stunned the nation, but what followed in the investigation was even more shocking.
What seemed like a random attack soon revealed itself to be a coldly orchestrated murdєr, involving criminal networks that extended far beyond street-level thugs.
In a twist that no one saw coming, the mastermind behind Warass’s death wasn’t even at the scene; he was locked up in South Africa’s notorious Ptoria Central Prison, directing the execution from behind bars using a contraband cell phone.
This is not just the story of another musician’s tragic death.
It’s the story of how a complicated web of obsession, jealousy, and systemic failures led to an assassination so methodical that it almost succeeded.
We’re about to take you inside the investigation, piece together the evidence, and reveal how technology and public pressure helped bring the killers to justice.
The Rise of DJ Warass
Fabiskotti, or DJ Warass, wasn’t just another DJ; he was a force within South Africa’s electronic music scene.
Born in a township, Warass rose from humble beginnings, building a reputation as a talented DJ who blended quato rhythms with house beats in ways no one had ever done before.
His music captured the spirit of South Africa’s young, post-apartheid generation, and his sets were legendary for their ability to move thousands of people.
Warass was not only known for his musical talent but also for his ability to read a crowd.
His rise to fame was built on years of hard work and dedication to his craft, networking with artists, and shaping a unique sound that would become synonymous with South African dance culture.
His mixtapes were shared across taxis, nightclubs, and house parties, and his following grew steadily as fans connected with his authenticity.
The Night of the Murder
August 21, 2016, started like many other nights for DJ Warass.
He had been performing at a venue in Johannesburg, and after the show, he headed home to Brackan with his wife, Leanne, and children.
It was a routine night, but as he stepped out of his car at home, he had no idea that he was being followed.
Moments later, gunshots rang out, and DJ Warass was struck by multiple rounds, collapsing on his driveway.
The shooters fled into the night, leaving behind a lifeless body and a family forever shattered.
What made the murdєr even more chilling wasn’t just the brutality of the attack but the fact that the mastermind wasn’t there.
Locked away in prison, Cat Matt Lala orchestrated the murdєr from behind bars using a smuggled cell phone.
The Jealousy Behind the Murder
Cat Matt Lala, whose real name was Mgalli Model Hail Mat Lala, was a man with a violent history.
He had built a network of associates who operated in Johannesburg’s underworld, and even from prison, he maintained his influence.
His obsession with his ex-girlfriend, Lorado Chabalala, who had moved on to a relationship with DJ Warass, led him to orchestrate the murdєr.
Lala’s jealousy wasn’t just emotional—it was possessive and dangerous.
He saw Lorado as his property, and when she found happiness with someone else, Lala felt betrayed.
From behind bars, he used contraband phones to contact his associates and issue threats to Lorado.
Eventually, he took matters into his own hands, plotting DJ Warass’s murdєr from his prison cell.
Orchestrating Murder from Prison
The South African correctional system’s failure to control contraband cell phones inside prisons is a significant issue, and this case only highlights its deadly consequences.
Cat Matt Lala’s ability to use a smuggled phone to coordinate the murdєr shows the extent to which inmates can still exert power and control from within prison walls.
Inmates like Lala can use cell phones to communicate with the outside world, make deals, and even orchestrate violent acts.
The failure to prevent this kind of communication undermines the very purpose of incarceration.
Cat’s ability to run a criminal operation from behind bars was facilitated by the corrupt prison system, which allowed him to maintain contact with the underworld.
The Investigation: Tracing the Evidence
The investigation into DJ Warass’s murdєr quickly turned into a high-stakes pursuit to track down the individuals responsible.
Investigators found evidence that linked Cat Matt Lala to the crime, but proving his involvement wasn’t easy.
They had to trace phone records, financial transactions, and witness testimonies to build a case.
One of the critical pieces of evidence was the CCTV footage from multiple sources that captured the movements of the suspects.
The footage showed a white sedan following DJ Warass’s car and maintaining surveillance in a manner that suggested the driver was experienced in avoiding detection.
The surveillance was methodical, not random, and the vehicles involved in the murdєr appeared at several locations in the days leading up to the attack.
The most damning evidence came from phone records, which showed multiple calls between Cat and his associates in the days leading up to the murdєr.
The calls detailed coordination and final preparations for the hit.
The financial transactions were also revealing, with money moving from Cat’s accounts to individuals connected to the hitmen, further implicating him in the crime.
The Role of Lorado Chabalala
Lorado Chabalala, the woman at the center of the deadly love triangle, played a crucial role in the investigation.
After the murdєr, she provided investigators with critical information about Cat Matt Lala’s obsession and the threats he had made against DJ Warass.
Lorado had received threatening calls from Lala, warning her that DJ Warass wouldn’t be around much longer if she didn’t return to him.
Her testimony was key in understanding the motive behind the murdєr, as it confirmed that Lala’s jealousy had driven him to commit violence.
Lorado had tried to move on from Lala and build a new life with DJ Warass, but Lala’s possessiveness and violent tendencies led to the tragic outcome.
The Security Failures in South Africa’s Prison System
One of the most troubling aspects of this case is the role of South Africa’s prison system in enabling Cat Matt Lala to carry out the murdєr.
The proliferation of contraband cell phones in South African prisons is a widespread issue, and this case demonstrates how dangerous it can be when inmates can continue their criminal activities from behind bars.
The failure to control cell phones in prisons has allowed criminals like Lala to maintain power and control, orchestrating crimes from inside their cells.
This issue is not isolated to this case; it is a systemic problem that allows organized crime to thrive within South Africa’s correctional facilities.
If this issue isn’t addressed, it will continue to put the public at risk and enable dangerous individuals to carry out violent acts with little consequence.
The Broader Implications of the Case
DJ Warass’s murdєr highlights the vulnerability of entertainers in South Africa, many of whom are exposed to violence due to their perceived wealth or conflicts with powerful figures.
The case also underscores the failure of the South African criminal justice system to protect witnesses and victims, with witness intimidation and retaliation being commonplace in high-profile cases.
The role of organized crime in the entertainment industry, particularly in the context of extortion and violence, is another disturbing aspect of this case.
Investigators uncovered evidence that the South African music industry is vulnerable to criminal networks attempting to infiltrate and control venues, artists, and business dealings.
This revelation raises questions about the need for reform in the entertainment industry and better security for public figures.
The murdєr of DJ Warass is a tragic reminder of the dangerous intersections between jealousy, criminal networks, and systemic failure in South Africa.
The ability of an inmate to orchestrate a murdєr from behind bars, using contraband cell phones and a network of criminals on the outside, exposes a critical flaw in the South African prison system.
The case also sheds light on the vulnerability of artists in an industry where financial pressures, personal disputes, and criminal elements often collide with deadly consequences.
The investigation into DJ Warass’s murdєr has brought attention to the gaps in security, law enforcement, and witness protection that allowed such a crime to take place.
While justice is still being pursued, the case has already sparked conversations about the need for reform in the South African justice system, the prison system, and the entertainment industry.
