Key Takeaways:
- The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court is set to rule on whether CCTV footage showing Victor Majola, the alleged mastermind behind the murder of DJ Warras, at the crime scene should be presented and played in court.
- The court has postponed Majola’s bail application to Thursday to allow for the production of the video footage from a butchery near the crime scene.
- The footage forms part of the state’s evidence in the case and is crucial for the defence.
- Majola faces charges of murder, premeditated murder, and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the killing of DJ Warras.
- The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are expected, including Majola’s girlfriend, Hlengiwe, who is alleged to have played a role in events leading up to the murder.
Introduction to the Case
The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court is expected to make a ruling on whether CCTV footage allegedly showing Victor Majola, the alleged mastermind behind the murder of popular media personality Warrick Stock, also known as DJ Warras, at the crime scene, should be presented and played in court. The court has postponed Majola’s bail application to Thursday, January 18, to allow for the production of the video footage from a butchery near the crime scene. The footage, which was previously handed to police for forensic analysis, forms part of the state’s evidence in the case. Magistrate Annalise Tlhapi directed investigating officer Captain Abe Montwedi to urgently contact the owner of the butchery to determine whether a fresh copy of the footage could be obtained directly from the business.
The Importance of the CCTV Footage
The CCTV footage is a crucial piece of evidence in the case, and its production in court is essential for the defence. Majola’s lawyer, Dumisani Mabunda, told the court that access to the footage was critical for the defence, warning that failure to disclose it could prejudice his client and undermine the fairness of the bail proceedings. However, Montwedi later informed the court that the owner of the butchery had said the footage was only retained for 10 days and had since been deleted after it was initially handed over to police. The court will need to consider how the footage should be handled and whether it would be admissible before ruling on the bail application.
The Investigation and Charges
Majola, 44, faces charges of murder, premeditated murder, and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the killing of DJ Warras, who was shot dead on December 16 outside the Zambesi Building in Johannesburg’s central business district. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and further arrests are expected. Montwedi told the court that police were close to finalising the case and that further arrests were imminent. He also testified that police planned to arrest Majola’s girlfriend, Hlengiwe, whom investigators allege played a role in events leading up to the murder.
The Events Leading Up to the Murder
According to the state, DJ Warras’ security company had been contracted to provide services at the Zambesi Building. Investigators allege that Majola, Hlengiwe, and others were illegally collecting rent from tenants and failing to pay it over to the rightful owner. The dispute allegedly dates back to 2018, after the building’s original owner died and the property was inherited by his son. Rental income reportedly dropped from more than R700,000 a month to about R400,000. DJ Warras and his business partner were later appointed to assist with managing the property, a move that angered those allegedly involved in illegal rent collection, Montwedi said.
The Arrest and Bail Application
Majola was arrested last month following an investigation into the shooting. He described himself as a self-employed taxi driver and father of 12, and denied the charges in an affidavit, saying police had arrested the wrong person. Montwedi warned that Majola posed a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses if released on bail. The court will need to consider these factors when making its ruling on Majola’s bail application. The postponement of the bail application to Thursday will allow the court to review the CCTV footage and consider all the evidence before making a decision.
Conclusion
The case against Victor Majola is ongoing, and the production of the CCTV footage is a crucial step in the proceedings. The court’s ruling on whether the footage should be presented and played in court will be important in determining the outcome of the case. The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are expected, including Majola’s girlfriend, Hlengiwe. The court will need to carefully consider all the evidence and factors before making a decision on Majola’s bail application. The ruling is expected to be made on Thursday, and it will be an important milestone in the case.
