South Africa is mourning the tragic death of Warrick Stock, widely known as DJ Warras, who was gunned down in Johannesburg on a Tuesday afternoon. The 40-year-old media personality and entrepreneur was shot outside Zambesi House, near Carlton Centre, in what police are describing as a targeted attack. The motive remains unknown, and no suspects have been arrested yet.
According to police reports, three men approached Stock after he parked his car. One of them, captured on CCTV wearing what looked like a security uniform and sporting dreadlocks, opened fire before fleeing the scene on foot. Despite being armed, Stock never had the chance to defend himself. Nothing was stolen from him, adding further mystery to the motive.
More Than Just a DJ
Warras was far more than a club spinner or TV presenter. He was a respected radio host, podcaster, and a straight-talking public figure who wasn’t afraid to speak out on controversial issues. As the host of Ngicel’ iVisa on Mzansi Magic, he brought laughter, insight, and heart to television screens across the country. Off-screen, his influence extended into private security, VIP protection services, event management, and even property oversight—often helping manage complex evictions.
His sister Nicole Stock shared the family’s heartbreak, asking the public to stop circulating graphic videos and photos out of respect for his loved ones, especially his three young sons. “We are shattered,” she told SABC. “He was a voice for many and never backed down from truth.”
A Legacy of Fearlessness
DJ Warras was respected across South Africa’s political and entertainment spectrum. Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie remembered him as someone who spoke truth “without fear or favour,” even when challenging the government. Opposition leader Mmusi Maimane called his daylight killing “brazen” and deeply alarming for a country already facing one of the world’s highest murder rates.
Mzansi Magic and Mnet executives described Warras as a man of warmth, charisma, and sharp wit, whose energy lit up every screen he was on. Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Entertainment Channels, praised him as a “talented storyteller and passionate music lover” who left a lasting mark on the industry.
A Call for Justice
As tributes pour in, police continue to investigate. Cartridges were recovered from the scene, and authorities have appealed for eyewitnesses to help track down the suspects.
Warras’ passing has left a void not just in entertainment, but in a nation crying out for justice, safety, and voices like his—bold, unfiltered, and unapologetically real.
