The investigation into the killing of popular media figure Warrick Stock, better known as DJ Warras, has taken a new turn after prosecutors withdrew charges against one of the two initial suspects.
Earlier this week, police arrested a man and a woman at a hostel in Soweto following inquiries into Stock’s fatal shooting. However, when the matter came before the court, the State confirmed that it would not proceed against the female suspect, citing insufficient evidence to link her to the crime, as per EWN.
Stock was shot and killed outside the Zambesi House building in Johannesburg’s CBD, where he had been working in a security capacity at the time of the incident. Investigators initially believed that three people may have played a role in the attack, including a suspect described as having dreadlocks.
With the case against the woman now withdrawn, proceedings continued against 44-year-old Victor Majola, who appeared alone in court on Wednesday. Majola attempted to conceal his identity by covering his face with a scarf and pulling up the hood of his jacket, prompting intervention from the bench.
Magistrate Simon Radasi instructed Majola to remove the items obscuring his face so that he could be properly identified, and also directed him to sit upright during the proceedings. The court then heard the formal charges read out by the State prosecutor.
Majola is facing charges of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The prosecution made it clear that it will oppose any attempt at bail, stressing that the matter falls under Schedule 6, which applies to the most serious offences.
The appearance was brief, with no plea entered at this stage. The court postponed the case to 6 January, when Majola is expected to bring a formal bail application.
Meanwhile, investigations into the killing of DJ Warras are continuing as police work to clarify the roles of those originally suspected to be involved in the fatal shooting.
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