CCTV REVEALS A FAMILY’S HEARTBREAK — AND A MOMENT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Surveillance footage shows DJ Warras outside Zambezi House, a split-second decision that may have altered his fate. Behind the camera lens, the scene is more than just an incident — it’s a father trying to navigate danger, with thoughts of his three children clearly in mind.
As authorities reconstruct the sequence, the emotional weight on his family grows heavier with every frame reviewed…👇👇
CCTV Reveals a Family’s Heartbreak: The Final Moments of DJ Warras Outside Zambezi House
On December 16, 2025, in broad daylight opposite the iconic Carlton Centre in Johannesburg’s CBD, Warrick Robert Stock—better known as DJ Warras—was gunned down as he exited Zambezi House (also referred to as Zambesi House). Surveillance footage reviewed by police captures the chilling sequence: a short man with dreadlocks calmly approaches Warras shortly after noon, opens fire at close range, and flees on foot, leaving spent cartridges behind. Another suspect, dressed in what appears to be a security uniform, is seen near Warras’ vehicle, suggesting coordination among at least three individuals.
centralnews.co.za
insidemetros.co.za
Gauteng police, led by Acting Provincial Commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana, confirmed the footage shows no drive-by element; it was a targeted ambush. Warras, 40, was shot multiple times and collapsed across the street while attempting to flee. Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. This grainy yet damning video has become central to the investigation, guiding detectives as they trace the suspects’ movements post-shooting. By December 22, breakthroughs emerged: two suspects were arrested in a Soweto hostel raid at 2 a.m., charged with murder, and set to appear in court on December 24. A third remains at large.
The location—Zambezi House—adds layers of context to the tragedy. This multi-story building, housing around 250 occupants with many allegedly not paying rent, exemplifies Johannesburg’s crisis of “hijacked buildings.” Criminal syndicates illegally occupy properties, extort tenants, and resist reclamation efforts. Warras, through his private security firm Imperium Security, was contracted by the legal owner to install biometric access controls and CCTV systems, aiming to secure the premises and enforce rent collection. He had obtained five protection orders against individuals linked to the building, underscoring the threats he faced in his mission to restore order.
cnn.com
CNN investigates ‘hijacked buildings’ in Johannesburg
Authorities, including Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety Mgcini Tshwaku, believe the killing was a hit tied to these disputes. “We believe a price was put on his head because of the work he was doing,” Tshwaku stated. Some reports suggest Warras may have been lured outside during a phone call, turning an ordinary moment into a fatal trap. No robbery occurred—Warras was armed, and nothing was taken—further pointing to a premeditated assassination.
Behind the cold frames of CCTV lies profound human heartbreak. Warras was a devoted father to three young children: eldest son Ethan and two younger boys. At his memorial service on December 19 in Sandton, Ethan stood bravely with his siblings, delivering a tribute that reduced mourners to tears: “My father was my hero, my inspiration… He treated everyone with pure love and respect.” The sight of the boys, dressed in white, honoring their dad encapsulated the irreplaceable loss—a father snatched away while fighting for a safer city, one his children could inherit.
facebook.com
citizen.co.za
Family statements painted Warras as “the heart and anchor” of their home, a “loving and proud father” who infused life with “light, laughter, and strength.” His sister Nicole Stock spoke of devastation, noting he “belonged to a nation” through his fearless voice. Friends recalled his habit of ending calls with “I love you, bye,” a ritual now echoing as unspoken final words. Great-grandmother Hester Livanos called him a “wonderful and devoted father.” As investigators pore over timelines and footage, piecing together that split-second decision to step outside, the emotional toll mounts: three children growing up fatherless, wondering how one ordinary afternoon shattered their world.
Warras’ broader legacy amplifies the grief. From Durban roots, he became a media icon—co-hosting SABC1’s Live AMP, gracing YFM and 5FM airwaves, and co-founding The Shady PHodcast with DJ PH for unfiltered talks on society and politics. He mentored artists, championed South African music as a club DJ, and fearlessly critiqued urban decay. Colleagues like Pearl Thusi and Penuel Mlotshwa hailed him as a mentor and “good soul.” Minister Gayton McKenzie mourned a “patriotic young South African,” while figures like Herman Mashaba and Mmusi Maimane decried the murder as emblematic of unchecked crime.
His funeral on December 23 in Rosebank provided solemn closure, attended by celebrities and broadcast live. Mourners reflected on a life of bold activism against corruption and hijacking syndicates. Protests followed, demanding military intervention in the CBD and border security, viewing Warras’ death as a catalyst for change.
The CCTV footage, while aiding justice, immortalizes a moment that changed everything—a father navigating danger for a better Johannesburg, unaware it would be his last. As arrests offer hope, his family endures the heaviest burden: frames replaying a tragedy, reminding them of the man who loved aggressively and fought relentlessly. In Ethan’s words, Warras inspired heroism; now, his children carry that torch in a nation mourning one of its own.
South Africa’s inner-city woes persist, but Warras’ story urges action. His voice silenced, but his fight—and the love for his boys—endures.
