Jub Jub witness star-struck

2011-03-23 15:42

Johannesburg - A witness in the murder trial of musician Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye and co-accused Themba Tshabalala recalled on Wednesday how she and a group of friends became star-struck when they spotted the celebrities shortly before the crash that killed four schoolchildren.

Portia Masika, 18, told the Protea Magistrate's Court she and her friends stood on the corner of Nkoli Street and Mdlalose Drive in Protea Glen, Soweto, when they first noticed the "beautiful" Mini Coopers approaching them and got excited.

She said when they saw one of drivers was Maarohanye, they got even more excited, especially the girls in the group. Blushing slightly as she testified, she said the group was screaming at "Jub Jub" because he was a celebrity, not because he was allegedly racing or winning the race.

Masika had a difficult morning on the witness stand and often answered questions with "I think", "maybe" and "I'm not sure".

Video

She earlier said one of her friends, Ntokozo Mahlangu, went as far as filming the "attractive" cars with her cellphone as they approached them. She demonstrated how her friend took the video, and said Mahlangu did not move while doing the recording.

Masika however said earlier she did not see her friend take the video, and that it was shown to her after Mahlangu recorded it.

Defence attorney Ike Motloung asked Masiko repeatedly to demonstrate how the video footage was taken, prompting the State to object. Motloung argued that the prosecutor was only objecting because he had realised his witness was contradicting herself.

When the two started arguing about ethics, the magistrate called them to order, saying they should conduct themselves in a manner that would ensure justice was served.

Masika earlier told the court she had a good memory when asked if she could clearly remember details of the morning leading to the March 8 2010 accident.

Nervous

However, she could not remember all the details of the conversation she had with the investigating officer more than seven months after the accident. Masika said he did not tell her why he approached her so late for the statement.

On Tuesday she told journalists she had been frightened by the accident, and was nervous ahead of taking the stand.

Masika also told the court she did not see how the accident happened because she was some distance away from it, and that she rushed to the scene after it had happened.

During her evidence, the family members of the children killed or injured kept silent, having previously been vocal in their support of evidence given by witnesses.

Other witnesses have testified that Maarohanye and Tshabalala were drag racing when the accident happened.

Maarohanye and Tshabalala are facing charges of attempted murder as well as reckless or negligent driving. One of their cars ploughed into a group of schoolchildren on Mdlalose Drive between Protea North and Protea Glen last year.

Four children were killed and two others severely injured.

The trial continues.

- SAPA