Safety concerns prompt prison transfer for DJ Warras murder accused

Armindo Joaquim Pacula, the 25-year-old accused of the murder of Warrick "DJ Warras" Stock, will be transferred to another facility following concerns over his safety.

Pacula appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court where he abandoned his bail application.

Stock’s death is believed to be linked to the hijacking of buildings at the Zambezi flats near Carlton Centre. At the time of his death, Stock was actively engaged in security upgrade work at the very same location where he was killed.

Pacula is the second individual to be arrested in relation to the high-profile case.

During court proceedings on Monday, Pacula through his attorney Thembile Gumpye, expressed intentions to plead guilty to charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and violation of the Immigration Act.

Gumpye revealed that Pacula had communicated concerns over his safety, citing threats stemming from his association with the ongoing case. In light of these fears, the court agreed to transfer Pacula out of Johannesburg Correctional Centre, commonly referred to as Sun City, to ensure his safety.

“My client has informed me he fears for his life, as there are people who killed his friend at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre. He is afraid he might be killed if he is incarcerated at Johannesburg Correctional Services. Furthermore, he is informing me that there is a possibility of a plea in this matter,” the lawyer said.

The prosecutor Vincent Mochabela, confirmed the transfer arrangements and outlined the ongoing investigations into Pacula's immigration status.

"Arrangements have been made for the accused to be transferred to another facility, and that will be at Modderbee...At this stage, the accused is illegally in the country, and when the investigating team went to verify this address, they found no one there," Mochabela stated.

The matter was subsequently postponed to Wednesday where Pacula is set to appear alongside his co-accused, Victor Mthethwa Majola, who was denied bail last month. 

Present during the court proceedings was a team of representatives from the Mozambique High Commission, led by Guilherme Tanele, who called for justice to prevail in the matter.

"The courts have to proceed, and we trust that the matter will be handled in a fair manner. We have many Mozambicans staying in South Africa, and not all of them are here illegally. If they are illegally in the country, we are there as the Consulate and as representatives of the government of Mozambique to cooperate," he said outside court.

Cape Times