/ 27 May 2011

Cellphone footage viewed at Jub Jub murder trial

Cellphone Footage Viewed At Jub Jub Murder Trial

A short video clip showing murder accused Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye and Themba Tshabalala allegedly racing was played in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

The cellphone video, which was about five seconds long, showed two Mini Coopers pulling off parallel to one another.

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

They were allegedly drag-racing when one of their Mini Coopers ploughed into a group of schoolchildren on Mdlalose Drive, in Protea North, on March 8 last year.

Four children died in the accident and two others suffered severe injuries, including brain damage.

Celebrity
The video was recorded by Ntokozo Mahlangu, who testified earlier that she was standing on the corner of Mdlalose Street with her friends when she saw the two men allegedly racing.

She told the court she recognised “Jub Jub” as one of the drivers.

Girls’ shouts could be heard on the video. Mahlangu said this was because the girls spotted a “celebrity”. This was “Jub Jub”.

Court proceedings were halted on Wednesday when State prosecutor Raymond Mathenjwa could not open the phone because it had been blocked as it had not been registered in terms of Rica requirements.

He told the court on Friday that the South Africa Police Service technical centre had unblocked the phone. — Sapa