Within minutes of having her kidnapping case struck off the roll, Mama Jackie had swapped her black suit for camouflage military fatigues, the Star newspaper reported on Tuesday.
Jackie Maarohanye, better known as the ”Angel of Soweto”, danced on the steps of the Protea Magistrate’s Court in Soweto on Monday while hundreds of her pupils cheered her on.
Maarohanye, Patricia Molaba, Ronnie Nyakale and Thembi Dladla were accused of kidnapping and assaulting Sowetan journalist Vusi Ndlovu in February.
Ndlovu said he had gone to the school to interview Maarohanye after damning revelations about her Ithuteng Trust School were made by alleged former pupils on Carte Blanche.
Magistrate Andre Auret said he had decided to strike the case from the roll because of weak testimony by the reporter and the witnesses.
Mama Jackie, her co-accused and supporters, seemed to have arrived at court prepared for a victory. A band made up of her pupils began to play and sing outside the court.
Inside, a bag containing some clothes was handed to her, and a few minutes later, Maarohanye burst out of court — the stilettos, short skirt and black jacket had been exchanged for camouflage military overalls and a cap.
During the trial, Mama Jackie had boasted ”there are only two real women in South Africa — Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Jackie Maarohanye”. The uniform was similar to that which Madikizela-Mandela wears at political rallies.
As Maarohanye reached the court gates, the band played furiously and danced in a circle.
After running up and down the streets led by Mama Jackie, the group later dispersed.
Maarohanye, however, will be in the same court again on Wednesday. She faces charges of kidnapping and assaulting a former pupil, Simphiwe Ncoguthu.
The 24-year-old Orlando, Soweto, man claims he was stripped and paraded through the streets, where Mama Jackie and her pupils beat him up.
On Friday, she had another victory — she was acquitted in another case of public violence, malicious damage to property, housebreaking and theft. – Sapa