Police have reiterated their confidence that they have arrested the correct suspects in the murder of Warris Stark, popularly known as DJ Warras.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola addressed the matter during a media briefing in Pretoria, seeking to allay public concerns that the wrong individuals may have been apprehended in connection with the DJ’s killing.
Doubts emerged after initial police reports described the suspected shooter as having dreadlocks. However, the first suspect arrested, Victor Majola, is bald, and weeks later a second suspect—also bald—was taken into custody.
Masemola explained that investigators believe the shooter, whom police are convinced is among the two suspects already arrested, may have shaved off his dreadlocks.
“With regard to DJ Warras, you say we were looking for somebody with dreadlocks. As you are aware, dreadlocks do not sit on somebody permanently. At this stage, we are confident that we have the right suspects,” Masemola said.
“The first suspect that we arrested and the second one who has also appeared in court—we are quite confident they are the right people.”
Majola has since failed in his bid to be released on bail. The second suspect, Armindo Joaquim Pacula, a Mozambican national, was arrested at a later stage and has recently appeared in court.
While the exact motive behind DJ Warras’ killing has yet to be confirmed, police suspect it may be linked to a violent dispute over control of a hijacked building.
Masemola also revealed that police are still searching for a third suspect and praised the investigative team for what he described as a swift breakthrough in the case.
“The breakthrough in this case was quick, and one would like to commend the investigation team for that,” he said.