Jub Jub witness excused

2011-11-30 14:19

Johannesburg - A witness expected to testify for a second time about urine samples taken from musician Molemo ‘Jub Jub' Maarohanye and his co-accused Themba Tshabalala was excused on Wednesday by the Protea Magistrate's Court.

This was after the witness, Jose van Rooyen, was recalled to the stand following a request from Maarohanye's lawyer, Ike Motloung.

Prosecutor Raymond Mathenjwa said Motloung had indicated he intended to consult another expert on the urine samples and then cross-examine Van Rooyen.

However on Wednesday, Motloung told the court he could not secure the expert due to his client's financial constraints, and therefore would not be able to cross-examine Van Rooyen again on the urine samples submitted.

The next witness to be called was Vodacom's forensic liaison manager, Petro Heyneke. She explained to the court why the footage of the alleged race between Maarohanye and Tshabalala was not easily accessible on the phone a schoolgirl used to film the incident.

This was because the SIM card number that was in the Samsung phone used to film the alleged race had been dormant for more than six months when the footage was sought.

Heyneke said the SIM card number was then deleted by the cellphone network and recycled for a new SIM card starter pack, which was bought by a user in Cape Town.

Maarohanye and Tshabalala face charges of murder, attempted murder and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

The pair allegedly ploughed into a group of schoolchildren on March 8 last year, killing four of them and seriously injuring two others.

The trial continues.

- SAPA