{
  "id": 16037983,
  "title": "‘This matter has been delayed long enough,’ says judge as DJ Warras murder case postponed again",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/this-matter-has-been-delayed-long-enough-says-judge-as-dj-warras",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-22T11:44:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/courts/accused-legal-representation-dj-warras-murder-postponed/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Victor Mthethwa Majola and his girlfriend, Hlengiwe Goodness Buthelezi, remain behind bars as their murder trial for radio personality Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock continues to face setbacks. The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg heard that the pair have opted to seek assistance from Legal Aid South Africa after previously hiring private lawyers. The court heard that Majola and Buthelezi had completed the necessary paperwork, and Legal Aid received the case docket on Wednesday, 21 October. However, a \"conflict of interest\" issue arose, leading to discussions about appointing private lawyers through Judicare, a program that allows Legal Aid to assign private practitioners to eligible clients at a reduced fee. Judge William Karam expressed frustration over the repeated delays, stating that the matter had been postponed \"long enough.\" The state prosecutor noted that legal preparations for the pre-trial conference and trial date had been ongoing since July, with no significant progress. Majola and Buthelezi have been charged with premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Stock's death on 16 December 2025. The radio DJ was murdered while parked outside Zambesi Flats in Johannesburg's CBD on 16 December 2025.",
  "summary": "Issues surrounding the accused's legal representation delayed pre-trial proceedings.",
  "key_points": [
    "Judge William Karam frustrated by repeated delays in DJ Warras murder case",
    "Majola and Buthelezi seek Legal Aid assistance after private lawyers",
    "Pre-trial preparations ongoing since July with no significant progress"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The transition from private counsel to state-funded legal assistance creates procedural hurdles that stall justice for the family of the murdered radio personality.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}