Johannesburg, South Africa – The City of Johannesburg has moved to clear confusion surrounding the fatal shooting of media personality Warrick DJ Warras Stock, saying he was acting in a private capacity when he was killed on December 16, 2025.
City officials said Stock was not representing the municipality or any of its law enforcement structures at the time of the shooting. The city also clarified that he did not own Zambezi House, the inner city building he had visited shortly before his death.
According to a statement issued by city spokesperson Alex Mandlazi, Stock was involved in a private contractual arrangement with the legal representatives of the building’s owner. Mandlazi said Stock was linked to an independent security company that had been privately engaged to install biometric access systems and assist with security and rent collection at the premises. 
The city said it does not appoint private security companies to secure or manage problematic inner city buildings. Mandlazi said Stock was not working for the municipality and had no role in the city’s bad buildings programme when he was shot.
Stock, a former radio and television host who later worked in property management, was shot in broad daylight near the Carlton Centre shortly after leaving Zambezi House. His death has sparked shock across South Africa, with tributes pouring in from colleagues in the media and entertainment industry.
Police are investigating the killing and have appealed to members of the public for information that could assist in identifying and arresting the suspects. The clarification by the City of Johannesburg was issued to address speculation around Stock’s presence at the building and to state that his activities were linked to a private business matter rather than any official municipal duty.
