The tragic death of DJ and broadcaster DJ Warras, whose real name was Warrick Stock, has sparked significant discussion and concern, particularly regarding crime and the issue of hijacked buildings in central Johannesburg. DJ Warras was fatally shot outside Zambezi House in the Johannesburg central business district on Tuesday afternoon, with police suggesting it was a planned hit. This incident brought to light several underlying issues, including the efficacy of protection orders and the broader challenges of urban safety.

Following the confirmation of DJ Warras's death, podcast and Chill co-host Sol Phenduka addressed the backlash he received for a cryptic tweet he shared shortly before the news broke. On Tuesday, 16 December 2025, Phenduka had posted a message hinting at the death of a well-known entertainment industry figure without mentioning names, which caused online confusion and panic. Speaking to the Daily Sun, Phenduka explained his deliberate decision not to name anyone, stating he had not received consent and wished to respect DJ Warras and his family during an emotional and uncertain moment. He emphasized that he reacted emotionally to the news, hoping it wasn't true, and apologized for any worry caused, sending condolences to Warras's loved ones. After the death was confirmed, Phenduka called on former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba to act on crime, even resharing DJ Warras's past plea for help regarding crime in the city centre.

Investigations into DJ Warras's murder revealed that he had five protection orders in place against individuals known to the police. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi expressed concern about how protection orders are handled, stressing that they should involve proper follow-up and police support rather than being mere documents. Johannesburg's public safety MMC, Mgcini Tshwaku, indicated that DJ Warras had been actively involved in reclaiming Zambezi House on behalf of its legal owner, suggesting that his work made him a target. Tshwaku stated, "We believe a price was put on his head because of the work he was doing." CCTV footage reportedly shows the suspect calmly approaching Warras, shooting him, and then fleeing. DJ Warras had a history of involvement in reclaiming other hijacked buildings in the city and had received threats in the past due to this dangerous work.

The March and March Movement organized a picket in Durban to honor DJ Warras and demand government action, attributing his death to the government's failure to address hijacked buildings and illegal immigration. The group's leader, Jacinta Ngobese Zuma, asserted that if there were no hijacked buildings and no environment conducive to illegal immigrants, the murder would not have occurred. Ngobese Zuma highlighted the connection between illegal immigrants and hijacked buildings and urged the government to declare a state of emergency to deploy the South African National Defence Force to clear out hijacked buildings nationwide and secure the borders. The incident underscores the severe challenges of urban crime and the complex socio-political issues surrounding property, safety, and immigration in South Africa.