When Tweets Outlive Us: The Questions That Follow DJ Warras’s Killing

by Zaghrah Anthony

“Tryna Get Me Killed”: DJ Warras’s Old Tweets Resurface After His Murder

In the hours after DJ Warras was gunned down in Johannesburg’s CBD, South Africans did what they increasingly do in moments of shock and grief they went digging online.

It didn’t take long before old tweets by the outspoken radio personality began circulating again, particularly those mentioning controversial businessman Vusi “Cat” Matlala. By Tuesday night, Matlala’s name was trending across X, pulled into the national conversation not by new allegations, but by words DJ Warras had posted weeks earlier.

A Killing That Sparked Questions

DJ Warras, whose real name was Warrick Stock, was shot dead on Tuesday, 16 December, a public holiday marking the Day of Reconciliation a bitter irony not lost on many social media users.

The 40-year-old media figure was killed in the Johannesburg CBD by an unknown gunman. While police have not confirmed a motive, online speculation quickly framed the killing as a possible hit, a narrative that spread rapidly amid the shock.

Reports circulating online claim DJ Warras was inspecting a building he co-owned, Zambesi House, which had allegedly been taken over by illegal occupants. He was reportedly accompanied by a private security company to assist with evictions. These details, though widely shared, have not been officially confirmed by police.

Why Cat Matlala’s Name Entered the Picture

As tributes poured in, attention shifted to DJ Warras’s digital footprint. Several of his tweets referencing Vusi “Cat” Matlala resurfaced, instantly drawing scrutiny.

Matlala is currently being held at Kgosi Mampuru prison in Pretoria. He faces charges linked to attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder stemming from a 2023 incident involving his former girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane. He has also been publicly linked to allegations of bribery, fraud, money laundering and defeating the ends of justice claims he has denied.

One of the most persistent allegations tied to Matlala is the rumour that he operates as a notorious Johannesburg hitman known as “John Wick”, a label he has repeatedly rejected.

None of these allegations have been legally tested in relation to DJ Warras’s death.

The Tweets That Fuelled Online Fire

In recent weeks before his death, DJ Warras had commented publicly on Matlala, particularly around his appearance before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee.

One resurfaced post read:

“Cat Matlala is like the SA Jeffrey Epstein. Man is just involved everywhere, with ‘Top Secret’ security clearance, network, and access – that’s STILL unexplained.”

Other posts suggested unease and frustration, with followers now reinterpreting his words through the lens of his violent death. One phrase “Tryna get me killed”, has been repeatedly quoted, though its original context remains debated.

Social Media Speculation vs Reality

Online, the reaction has been intense and divided. Some users believe the resurfaced tweets hint at deeper connections and unanswered questions. Others have urged caution, warning against turning grief into conspiracy.

What is clear is that DJ Warras’s murder has struck a nerve in a country already fatigued by high-profile assassinations, unresolved hits, and the blurring of lines between crime, business, and private security.

For now, police say the motive remains unknown, and no suspect has been formally linked to the killing.

A Loud Voice, Silenced

DJ Warras was known for being outspoken, unafraid to question power, probe uncomfortable topics, or say what others wouldn’t. That fearlessness earned him admiration, criticism, and now, tragically, posthumous scrutiny.

As South Africans wait for answers, his resurfaced tweets have become less about blame and more about a haunting reminder: in today’s South Africa, words, power and violence often collide and the truth usually arrives far too late.

Source: Joburg ETC

Featured Image: X{@AdvoBarryRoux}