Jub Jub 'was sober after crash'

2012-03-01 14:45

Johannesburg - A breathalyser test showed that musician Molemo Jub Jub Maarohanye was sober after being involved in a fatal car crash, the Protea Magistrate's court heard on Thursday.

However, the man he was allegedly drag racing with, Themba Tshabalala, tested positive for alcohol, testified Tumelo Mokoka, who was a passenger in Maarohanye's car at the time of the accident.

"He was over the limit when he was tested," said Mokoka.

"Molemo was tested several times. The traffic cop said maybe the breathalyser was faulty," he said.

Maarohanye and Tshabalala are charged with murder, attempted murder and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Angry crowd

They were allegedly drag racing their Mini Coopers along Mdlalose Drive in Protea North, Soweto, on March 8, 2010, when one of the cars ploughed into a group of school pupils.

Four schoolboys were killed and two others were severely injured.

Mokoka told the court that Tshabalala's Mini Cooper hit the back of Maarohanye's car and he lost control, hitting a kerb. The car flipped and landed on its side.

He and Maarohanye were pushing his car after the crash when bystanders recognised Maarohanye and a woman shouted: "Jub Jub has killed our children."

Mokoka told the court that the crowd became angry and threatened to attack them.

He asked a traffic officer at the scene to arrange a van for them so that they could be kept inside for their own safety.

This was arranged and they were taken away from the accident scene. The traffic officers tested Tshabalala and Maarohanye for alcohol, using a breathalyser.

"Molemo registered zero and Tshabalala was said to be over the limit," he said.

The two were then taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital where blood samples were drawn for further tests.

The trial continues.

- SAPA