Pupils declare war on Jub Jub

2010-03-19 17:00

Miranda Andrew and Kenichi Serino

Johannesburg - Pandemonium broke out on Friday when bail was granted to hip hop artist Jub Jub and his co-accused, in a murder case that has seen Soweto schoolchildren run riot for three days.

"I took into account the intense emotional situation... and the outrage that led to public disorder," said Magistrate Andre Auret in the Protea Magistrate's Court, the scene of violent protests this week.

"(But) my finding is that there is not enough exceptional circumstances (to deny bail)."

His words were not even cold before family members of the victims scurried out of the court room to see the reaction of protesters outside, who were chanting hysterically, "we want him, we want him (Jub Jub)".

Celebrity Jub Jub, whose real name is Molemo Maarohanye, and Themba Tshabalala are accused of killing four school boys.

Ready for war

The pair were allegedly drag racing when their Mini Coopers ploughed into the group of pupils. Two children are still fighting for their lives in hospital.

"This is a survival of the fittest. If you don't have money, you suffer," a protester remarked bitterly after receiving the news that bail of R10 000 each had been granted.

His classmates reacted more violently than him.

"We are going to plan for war, we are ready for war, fire for fire," said a pupil who did not want to give his name.

"We are going to burn their (Maarohanye and Tshabalala) houses. We know where they live, even the magistrate, we know where he lives. We are going to kill him (the magistrate)."

Another pupil, Koketso Ramasekisa, said: "We must take the law into our own hands," while his friend interrupted: "Tell the newspaper that Jub Jub, we will kill you."

Officials, journalists pelted

Shortly after bail was granted, some protesters believed they saw Jub Jub being escorted to the police station at the back of the court.

Protesters tried to rush to the police station, pushing against the court gates, but the police sprayed them with water.

Pupils then pelted court officials, journalists and family members of the victims, who were standing inside the court premises, with stones.

Earlier in the day, police had to fire rubber bullets at protesters from inside a Nyala.

One school boy was arrested for public violence.

Auret, in his judgment, said although death threats had been made against the accused, he believed they would be safe.

"I am convinced they have means to protect themselves in various ways to name only one, they could resettle somewhere else until the case is finalised," the magistrate said.

Media gets blame

Defence lawyer Ike Motloung blamed the entire situation on the media.

"Until the media got involved, there was no violence," he told the court.

"The good media... ran with this whole story for a whole week and they knew there will be a bail application and they were talking about the bail.

"The worst thing they did: they fooled the people that this was drag racing, and just to spice it up they reported (that) both accused were high on alcohol and drugs."

But State prosecutor Liezl van Jaarsveld questioned the pair's proclaimed innocence.

Van Jaarsveld criticised Jub Jub who testified on Thursday that he would plead not guilty and denied that he was under the influence of any substances in the accident that led to the murder charges.

The court heard testimony during the three-day bail hearing that the men had morphine and cocaine in their urine after the accident and that Tshabalala was twice over the legal alcohol limit.

"The accused wants the court to be oblivious to the facts surrounding his release," said Van Jaarsveld.
"The evidence speaks for itself."

Family members of the school boys killed were upset about the granting of bail.

The mother of one of them collapsed in the court yard.

A family member said: "It's really unfair, four dead, two in hospital, they don't care about the kids, they just want to look after their businesses.

"They don't deserve bail but he'll get what's coming to him."

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

- SAPA