Judgment has been reserved in the bail application of taxi owner Victor Majola, who is accused of the murder of Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras.
DJ Warras was shot and killed in 16 December in the Johannesburg CBD.
State prosecutor Vincent Mochabela told the court that Majola poses a flight risk and is likely to evade trial if released on bail.
“If this court grants him bail and he absconds, we will not be able to trace him,” Mochabela said.
Majola faces a Schedule 6 offence, which places the onus on the defence to demonstrate exceptional circumstances justifying his release. Mochabela said the defence had failed to meet this threshold, as required under Section 60 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
The prosecutor further raised concerns that Majola has no fixed assets or strong family and community ties, despite having 12 children. He also noted that Majola is not affiliated with any recognised taxi association, which, according to the State, weakens his links to the community.
Mochabela warned that Majola could interfere with witnesses, commit further offences, or abscond if granted bail.
Meanwhile, defence lawyer Dumisani Mabunda argued that his client does not appear in the video footage that was played in court and later circulated on social media.
“Those particular pictures, when zoomed in and properly analysed, do not show anyone with dreadlocks,” Mabunda said. “No one in that footage resembles this accused,” he added, pointing to Majola in court.
The matter is expected to be heard again on 26 January.
