Reactions to Jub Jub, Tshabalala convictions

All the reaction after musician Molemo ‘Jub Jub’ Maarohanye and Themba Tshabalala were found guilty on four counts of murder and two of attempted murder.

Jub Jub verdict 'a lesson'

The conviction of Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye will teach other road users to respect the law, the Gauteng transport department said on Tuesday.

"The department hopes that this will be a lesson to all reckless road users who continue to disregard road rules," spokeswoman Octavia Mamabolo said in a statement.

"This judgment conveys the message that those who wilfully disregard the rules of the road will indeed face the full might of the law."

She said her department had spent R5 million upgrading Mdlalose Road, where the accident happened in 2010. The upgrade, completed in May, consisted of a kilometre-long pedestrian walkway on both sides of the road from the intersection at Mugabe Street in Protea North to intersection at Wild Chestnut Street in Protea Glen.

On Tuesday, the Protea Magistrate's Court found Maarohanye and Themba Tshabalala guilty on four counts of murder, two of attempted murder, racing on a public road, and driving under the influence of drugs.

Handing down judgment, magistrate Brian Nemavhidi said: "The death[s]... 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."

Schoolchildren in court cried when the judgment was handed down, and a relative of one of the boys killed fainted.

Maarohanye and Tshabalala were drag-racing on Mdlalose Street on March 8, 2010 when they crashed into a group of school boys.

Prince Mohube, Mlungisi Cwayi, Andile Mthombeni, and Phomello Masemola were killed. Frank Mlambo and Fumani Mushwana were left permanently brain damaged.

The United Democratic Movement Women's Organisation welcomed the judgment.

"We are encouraged to see that... suspects are treated as equal before the law, no matter how famous they are," general secretary Thandi Nontenja said.

No one above the law: uncle

No one is above the law, said the uncle of convicted murderer Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye on Tuesday.

"Things are not looking good for us, but what can you do?" asked Solomon Tsimile outside the Protea Magistrate's Court.

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

Tshabalala asked to be granted bail pending sentencing, telling the court: "I feel broken. I might not have the opportunity to have a future and to look after my family."

Maarohanye also sought bail, but had no legal representation to argue in support of his application, as his legal representation ended on Tuesday.

The court was adjourned for an hour while a legal aid representative was contacted on his behalf.

While the two accused showed little emotion in court, Tsimile said the Maarohanye family had requested several times to meet with the families of the deceased.

"It's how we do things in the African culture," he said.

"We are still intending to meet them even though, so far, they have refused. We want to express our sympathy."

Tsimile is related to Maarohanye's mother, whose absence throughout the two-year trial had been noted.

He refused to disclose her whereabouts or why she had not been present.

Maarohanye and Tshabalala were drag-racing in Protea North on March 8, 2010 when they crashed into a group of schoolchildren.

Prince Mohube, Mlungisi Cwayi, Andile Mthombeni, and Phomello Masemola, were killed.

Frank Mlambo and Fumani Mushwana were seriously injured.

Sentencing would take place on November 30.

Jub Jub judgement welcomed

The conviction of musician Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye and Themba Tshabalala is good news, the United Democratic Women's Organisation (Udemwo) said on Tuesday.

"We are encouraged to see that... suspects are treated as equal before the law, no matter how famous they are," said general secretary Thandi Nontenja.

"We hope that the full might of the law will be brought down on these murderers, and that they are sentenced to life in prison for ruining the lives of those departed children and their families."

On Tuesday, the Protea Magistrate's Court found Maarohanye and Tshabalala guilty on four counts of murder, two of attempted murder, racing on a public road and driving while under the influence of drugs.

Handing judgment, Magistrate Brian Nemavhidi said: "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."

School children broke down and cried when judgment was handed down, and one of the family members of those killed fainted.

Maarohanye and Tshabalala were drag-racing in Mdlalose Street, Protea North, on March 8, 2010 when they crashed into a group of schoolchildren.

Prince Mohube, Mlungisi Cwayi, Andile Mthombeni, and Phomello Masemola were killed. Frank Mlambo and Fumani Mushwana were seriously injured.

Udemwo called for more visible policing by traffic authorities to stop drag-racing in communities.