“HE KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG” — A Subtle Sign Before DJ Warras’ de@th That Set Off Alarms in Retrospect
According to close sources, DJ Warras sensed mounting tension days before the fatal incident. He had reportedly secured multiple protection orders against individuals who had threatened him, believing he was doing the right thing by trying to restore order in hijacked buildings where his security company had contracts.
Three children are now left without their father, and only in hindsight are family and colleagues piecing together the quiet warnings that may have been too easy to overlook at the time…👇👇
“He Knew Something Was Wrong” — A Subtle Sign Before DJ Warras’ Death That Set Off Alarms in Retrospect
Close sources reveal that Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock sensed mounting tension in the days and weeks before his fatal shooting on December 16, 2025, yet he pressed on, believing he was doing the right thing by restoring order to hijacked buildings in Johannesburg’s CBD through his security company, Imperium Ops.
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The 40-year-old father of three was gunned down outside Zambezi House (also known as Zambesi House), an eight-story hijacked property opposite the Carlton Centre, where his firm had been contracted to install biometric systems, CCTV, and audit occupants. Reports indicate Warras had secured multiple protection orders—five or six in total—against individuals linked to the building who threatened him after his interventions disrupted their illicit rental operations.
Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, confirmed the threats were “genuine,” with some warning that Warras would be harmed or the building burned if he continued. One protection order was granted as recently as December 12, just four days before the murder. Sources say Warras remained calm outwardly, focused on his vision for reclaiming urban spaces, but privately acknowledged the risks. In hindsight, family and colleagues are piecing together quiet warnings: expressed concerns, ominous communications, and a determination that may have made him overlook the escalating danger.
CCTV footage shows the execution-style attack: three assailants, including a dreadlocked gunman who fired multiple shots and an accomplice in a security uniform. Nothing was taken, confirming a targeted hit tied to building disputes.
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Zambezi House exemplifies Johannesburg’s hijacked buildings crisis, with over 1,100 such properties fueling organized crime through untaxed rents amid hazardous conditions. Warras’s associate, Nicole Nelson, described his “blueprint” for systematic reclamation as a passion project to revitalize the city.
The aftermath brought action: a multi-agency raid on December 18 locked down the building, with four to six persons of interest—many named in the protection orders—questioned, though no murder arrests followed immediately.
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On December 19, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced a “known” suspect had been identified, vowing an arrest “before Monday” (December 22). As of December 22, 2025, no public confirmation of an arrest has emerged, leaving the nation awaiting justice.
A heartfelt memorial service on December 19 in Sandton saw hundreds gather, including family and industry peers. Warras’s children called him their “hero,” highlighting his role as a devoted father and mentor.
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Tributes celebrated his career—from Durban origins to stints at 5FM, Y FM, CliffCentral, and co-hosting the Shady PHodcast—as a candid voice and supporter of emerging talent.
Three young children now face life without their father, a man whose subtle signs of unease—clear only in retrospect—underscore the peril of challenging criminal syndicates. Politicians have declared “war” on hijackers, but Warras’s death raises haunting questions: Could stronger enforcement of those protection orders or heeding the alarms have prevented this tragedy?
As investigations continue, his legacy endures as a call for accountability in a city plagued by urban decay. DJ Warras knew something was wrong, yet fought for restoration—his story a stark reminder that overlooked warnings can prove fatal.
