"After conviction the witness is expected to address your worship thoroughly on sentencing," State prosecutor Raymond Mathenjwa told the Protea Magistrate's Court.

"We can't do it today... We ask that we adjourn to November 30 for sentencing. The accused were convicted of a schedule six offence and we request that they be remanded in custody."

Responding to the State's request for remanding Tshababala and Maarohanye in custody,  Magistrate Brian Nemavhidi said: "Bail ended at the time the court announced its finding."

Maarohanye and Themba Tshabalala were both found guilty on four counts of murder and two of attempted murder.

"The State managed to prove beyond reasonable doubt... that the accused are guilty on four counts of murder... [and] two counts of attempted murder," said Nemavhidi.

He also convicted them of racing on a public road and driving while under the influence of drugs.

"The death of the deceased occurred as a result of the driving of those vehicles and as such the accused are convicted of driving their vehicles while under the influence of drugs," he said.

The court had to be called to order as the magistrate delivered his judgment.

Besides looking around to his family once, Maarohanye showed little emotion, as did Tshabalala.

The families of the victims could not control their emotions.

One woman was carried out after fainting and a court official passed water around.

The court had to silence the families and friends of the schoolchildren when their loud groans signalled their objection to the State's request that sentence only be passed on November 30.

Mathenjwa said he needed time to prepare his appeal for mitigating circumstances as he had no previous indication of what judgment should be passed.

Sentencing would take place on November 30.