JOHANNESBURG – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured a 25-year prison sentence against the man who shot and killed Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock, the authority confirmed.

Joaquim Armando Pacula, a 25-year-old Mozambican national, was convicted in the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg under Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act on Friday 7 August, which allows for plea and sentence agreements after consultation with the victim’s family.

According to the NPA, Pacula pleaded guilty to murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and contravening the Immigration Act.

The NPA said he was sentenced to 25 years for the murder, eight years for the firearm charge, six months for the ammunition charge, and 12 months for the Immigration Act offence. The court ordered all the sentences to run concurrently, giving Pacula an effective 25 years behind bars.

Stock was shot dead outside the Zambesi Building in the Johannesburg CBD on 16 December 2025. Under the plea agreement, Pacula admitted that he killed Stock in exchange for R25 000.

Case against co-accused continues

The NPA said the prosecution of Pacula’s co-accused, Victor Majola, is continuing separately. Majola’s case remains before the court and has been postponed to 17 August 2026 for the pre-trial conference to conclude.

NPA communications officer Magaboke Mohlatlole, who issued the statement, said the conviction demonstrated the authority’s determination to combat organised and violent crime, including contract killings, and that it would keep pursuing everyone involved in such offences.

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