Musician Molemo "Jub Jub” Maarohanye and Themba Tshabalala were found guilty on four counts of murder and two of attempted murder in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (16/10/2012).
"The State managed to prove beyond reasonable doubt... that the accused are guilty on four counts of murder... two counts of attempted murder,” said Magistrate Brian 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 to other people.
School children broke down and cried.
The justice department welcomed the judgment.
"[The conviction] is clear confirmation of justice not only done but manifestly seen to be done,” said justice spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga.
"We commend the National Prosecuting Authority’s aggressive stance of charging irresponsible drivers with murder instead of the usual culpable homicide, which usually attracts non-custodial sentences.”
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.
Tshabalala, dressed in a suit, and Maarohanye, in a tan leather jacket and braided hair, barely looked at each other once during Nemavhidi’s summary. - Sapa
