‘You will not hold this court to ransom’: Judge warns DJ Warras murder accused

Victor Mthethwa Majola

Johannesburg – Johannesburg High Court Judge William Karam has warned Victor Majola that he will not be granted any further delays to resolve his legal representation in the murder case of Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock. 

Majola appeared in the Johannesburg High Court on Friday alongside newly added co-accused Hlengiwe Buthelezi, who made her first appearance in the matter. 

Majola’s attorney, Mr Du Plessis, told the court he could no longer represent him, leaving the accused to consult his family before deciding on his next legal steps.  

Majola told the court he planned to meet with his relatives on Thursday to discuss the matter. 

Karam granted him the opportunity but made it clear that the court would not allow the issue to delay proceedings indefinitely. 

“You need to understand very carefully that you will not hold this court to ransom,” Karam told Majola. 

The judge added that no further indulgence would be granted, saying resolving the matter was in the interests of justice, including Majola’s own interests. 

The State also raised concerns about the continued delays, with prosecutor Ms Kaldis telling the court that the matter had effectively remained at a standstill despite previous opportunities to resolve Majola’s legal representation. 

The warning came as Buthelezi, 40, was formally brought into the case as a co-accused. She faces the same charges as Majola premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder. 

Buthelezi told the court she wanted an opportunity to consult her family before making arrangements for legal representation. 

“I wanted to talk to my family because since I was arrested, I never met my family,” she said. 

Karam granted the request, noting that Buthelezi was appearing in the matter for the first time and would have more than two weeks before the next hearing to resolve the issue. 

Buthelezi also raised concerns about access to her family while in custody, saying she had been unable to receive visitors. 

The judge questioned the claim and asked the prosecution to investigate why she had allegedly been unable to see her relatives or lawyers. 

“I find that very difficult to believe. All correctional services permit family visits as well as legal visits,” Karam said. 

The court postponed the matter to 8 October 2026, when Majola and Buthelezi are expected to update the court on their legal representation. 

The postponement was granted partly because of Buthelezi’s addition to the case, while Karam made clear that Majola would not receive another opportunity to delay proceedings over his legal representation. 

Majola is accused of masterminding Stock’s killing, although he has not been convicted and remains entitled to the presumption of innocence. 

Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras, was shot dead outside the Zambesi Building in the Johannesburg CBD on 16 December 2025. 

According to NPA, the third accused, Armando Pacula, previously pleaded guilty to Stock’s murder and was sentenced to an effective 25 years in prison under a plea and sentence agreement with the State. 

Picture: X/@AdvoBarryRoux

For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com

Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi

Article written by