Kwesta Calls Out Mashaba After DJ Warras’s Tragic Death

by Zaghrah Anthony

Kwesta Pushes Back on Mashaba’s Comments After DJ Warras’s Murder

Johannesburg is still reeling from the shocking murder of DJ Warras, a beloved radio and TV presenter and club DJ, who was gunned down in broad daylight in the Central Business District on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Amid the tragedy, public discourse took a political turn after rapper Kwesta responded to comments by former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba, reigniting debates over accountability, crime, and inner-city safety.

A Controversial Tribute Sparks a Debate

The chain of social media exchanges began when Ulrich Janse van Vuuren posted a heartfelt tribute to Warras, remembering him as someone deeply committed to his community and South Africa. Mashaba responded with a quote tweet linking Warras’s death to the Inner City Rejuvenation Plan, a project he championed during his time as mayor.

“I’m devastated that this great patriot died for the cause I have dedicated my political life to… but I want to assure all South Africans that his death is not going to be in vain, unless they kill all of us,” Mashaba wrote.

Kwesta pushed back, tweeting: “The man hit you up, sibhekile sonke (we were all watching). Fairness may dictate that this too be ignored. MORE! Let’s do that. Nothing has been enough except the lives we keep losing. With all due.”

Social Media Reacts

Reactions on X were divided. Some defended Mashaba, noting his past efforts as mayor. @MYKAPTENI wrote, “Warriors know that Mr Mashaba has no official power over the city anymore. Use your brain, bro.”

Others expressed frustration at politicians in general. @amaruTh3Great lamented, “Unfortunately, it’s true because honestly I don’t trust politicians anymore, and some will realise only when they lose someone closer to them. RIP Warras.”

The Man Behind the Name

Warrick Stock, known professionally as DJ Warras, was more than an entertainer; he was a businessman running a security company tackling Johannesburg’s pervasive problem of hijacked buildings. Sources suggest that Warras may have been targeted because of this work.

Reports indicate he was ambushed by three unknown assailants shortly after parking outside a building his company was securing. He was shot multiple times in the upper body, and police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.

Crime, Politics, and Public Safety

Warras’s murder has highlighted the dangerous intersection of inner-city crime and the ongoing struggle to reclaim hijacked properties in Johannesburg. Mashaba, reflecting on his tenure as mayor, emphasized that the city still faces over 500 hijacked buildings that serve as hubs for criminal activity.

For many South Africans, Kwesta’s response captured the frustration and anger over the slow pace of public safety interventions and the real risks faced by those trying to make a positive impact in the city.

As authorities continue their investigation, Warras’s death serves as a grim reminder of the stakes involved in Johannesburg’s fight against urban crime and of the lives lost in the process.

Source: IOL

Featured Image: X{@SAHipHopMagcoza}