“THE LAST 48 HOURS…” — What Might Have Happened Before DJ Warras’ Sudden de@th That Has the Nation Asking Hard Questions
In the days leading up to the tragic incident, friends and family noticed subtle shifts in DJ Warras’ schedule — postponed meetings, last‑minute calls, and an unusual sense of urgency in his voice. Warrick Stock, a father of three beloved sons, had been deeply involved in efforts to address complex disputes over hijacked buildings in Johannesburg’s CBD — areas plagued by illegal occupations and turf battles.
Now, investigators are retracing his steps in those final hours, piecing together emerging clues and timelines that hint at something far more intricate than anyone first imagined…👇👇
### “The Last 48 Hours…” — What Might Have Happened Before DJ Warras’ Sudden Death That Has the Nation Asking Hard Questions
As South Africa grapples with the shocking assassination of Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock on December 16, 2025, investigators are delving deeper into the final 48 hours of the 40-year-old’s life, uncovering subtle shifts that now raise profound questions. Friends and family have noted **postponed meetings, last-minute calls, and an unusual sense of urgency** in his voice during those critical days—hints of mounting pressure tied to his high-stakes work reclaiming hijacked buildings in Johannesburg’s CBD.
Warras, a devoted father of three beloved sons, was fatally shot outside Zambezi House (also known as Zambesi House), an eight-story property opposite the Carlton Centre. Through his company Imperium Ops, he had been contracted by the lawful owners to install biometric access systems, CCTV cameras, and audit tenants since early 2025. His efforts exposed severe issues: illegal subdivisions, overcrowding, suspected drug activities, and non-paying occupants profiting from a shadow rental economy.
Just days before—on December 12—Warras secured additional protection orders, totaling at least five (some sources cite six), against individuals linked to the building who had issued death threats. Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku described these threats as credible, including warnings to burn the property or harm Warras directly. Associates reveal he sensed escalating danger but maintained composure, pushing forward with his “blueprint” for urban renewal.
In the lead-up to December 16, emerging details paint a picture of subtle unease: rescheduled appointments, urgent communications, and private expressions of concern. A resurfaced video from moments before the attack shows Warras cheerfully interacting with a fan, sharing his signature “word of the day”—seemingly normal, yet now viewed through the lens of hindsight. His last social media activity hours earlier commented on gun violence, an ironic echo of his fate.
CCTV footage captures the brazen attack: three men rushing him as he approached his vehicle. A short man with dreadlocks fired multiple shots execution-style, aided by an accomplice in a security uniform and a third fleeing suspect. Warras, armed himself, had a fleeting chance to react but collapsed fatally. Nothing was stolen, pointing to a targeted hit amid turf battles over hijacked properties.
The nation is asking hard questions: What intricate disputes fueled this? Could overlooked clues in those final hours—perhaps a postponed meeting or urgent call—have signaled imminent danger? Why were protection orders not enforced more robustly?
Post-tragedy actions highlight the crisis. On December 18, a multi-agency raid on Zambezi House—led by Tshwaku—resulted in four to six persons of interest (tied to the protection orders) being questioned. Dozens of illegal occupants were identified, exposing the building’s role in organized crime.
On December 19, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced a breakthrough: a “known” suspect identified, with arrest assured before Monday (December 22). As of late reports, the nation awaits confirmation amid heightened anticipation.
An emotional memorial service on December 19 in Sandton drew hundreds, including family, colleagues, and officials. Warras’s children poignantly called him their “hero,” while tributes celebrated his journey from Durban to radio icons like 5FM, Y FM, and co-hosting the *Shady PHodcast*.
Warras’s death has spotlighted Johannesburg’s over 1,100 hijacked buildings, a multibillion-rand criminal enterprise endangering lives and stifling revival. Politicians vow a “war” on hijackers, but critics question if action would have come without a high-profile victim.
His family, shattered, mourns a man who brought “light, laughter, and strength.” Three sons grow up fatherless, the nation left pondering: What might have happened in those last hours to prevent this? As retraced timelines reveal more intricate layers, Warras’s legacy demands accountability—and a safer city he fought for.
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