Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras, whose murder has brought renewed focus on organised crime linked to hijacked buildings in Johannesburg’s CBD.

Image: Chris Collingridge

The murder of Johannesburg DJ and property activist Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras, has exposed the entrenched and highly lucrative organised crime networks operating through hijacked buildings across Johannesburg’s central business district.

Stock was shot and killed on Tuesday, December 16, shortly after noon outside Zambesi House in the Johannesburg CBD. Police have indicated that the primary suspect is a short man with dreadlocks, with CCTV footage showing the suspect approaching Stock as he exited the building before opening fire and fleeing the scene.

Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety Dr Mgcini Tshwaku has said analysis of the footage strongly suggests that the killing was a targeted hit linked to Stock’s work to reclaim hijacked buildings.

“We believe that this was a hit,” Tshwaku said.

He revealed that Stock had obtained five protection orders against individuals who had allegedly threatened him prior to his murder.

“He had protection orders against five people who are known to us. We believe that a price was put on his head because of the work that he was doing, trying to reclaim that building on behalf of the owner,” Tshwaku said.

The Mayoral Executive responsible for Public Safety in the South African (SA) city of Johannesburg, Mgcini Tshwaku says police have identified a woman as a person of interest in the murder of Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras

The woman is alleged to have been a former tenant at the Zambesi building in the centre of Johannesburg, where DJ Warras was shot.

Police have launched a manhunt for suspects involved in the killing of Dj Warras, which took place on Tuesday. Five people have been taken in for questioning so far. Tshwaku says police are working around the clock to get to the bottom of the case.

“There’s a woman as well cited to be the kingpin, she’s cited also in the protection order. The woman is a person of interest. There’s a committee that has been threatening Warras and some of them have been saying that because he’s trying to take them out, hence he had to go and get a protection order,” said.

–SABC–

Police deny social media claims

As investigations into Stock’s murder continue, Gauteng police on Thursday dismissed reports circulating on social media that three people have been taken in for questioning or arrested.

Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko told IOL that no suspects have been detained.

“There is no suspect taken for questioning or arrested. Investigation is continuing,” Sibeko said.

The slain Warrick Robert Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras

Image: Matthews Baloyi

The clarification followed a social media frenzy on Thursday morning, with several accounts alleging that three people had been taken in for questioning. SABC News also reported that three people had been taken in for questioning — a claim police have since denied.

The killing of DJ Warras has sharpened focus on the violent and deeply entrenched organised crime networks feeding off hijacked buildings in Johannesburg’s CBD — networks investigators warn are well-funded, heavily armed and prepared to kill to protect their profits.