The trial of musician Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye and co-accused Temba Tshabalala was postponed to July 14 in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
State prosecutor Raymond Mathenjwa asked for the postponement, saying he was not available until then.
Four teenagers were killed when a car ploughed into a group of school children, while Maarohanye and Tshabalala were allegedly drag-racing their Mini Coopers in Mdlalose Street, Protea North, on March 8 last year.
Maarohanye and Tshabalala face charges of murder, attempted murder and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
The four boys who were killed in the accident had suffered neck injuries, the Protea Magistrate’s Court heard on Monday.
Forensic pathologist Dr James Blair Mwesigwa testified that he had conducted a post mortem on the four bodies March 9 2010.
He said all bodies had blood in all three ventricles of the brain, which was an indication that they had received massive injuries to the head.
The first body he examined had its skull crushed on the left side. There was also blood oozing from the ears and nose.
Mwesigwa said the examination of the second body revealed that the boy had not died on impact.
“He gasped and groaned before he died.”
The boy’s skull had also shifted from the spine. He said this was the same thing that happened when someone was hanged.
The third body had been partially decapitated. If the impact had been a little bit harder the head would have been completely decapitated, Mwesigwa said.
Only the skin was still attaching the head to the body.
The fourth body had multiple injuries. A bone had pierced the boy’s heart rupturing it. His liver had also ruptured and his kidneys had failed.
Mwesigwa drew pictures for the court to explain what injuries the bodies had sustained.
He was being cross-examined by Maarohanye’s defence lawyer Ike Motloung.
Four teenagers were killed when one of the two Mini Coopers ploughed into a group of school children, while Maarohanye and Tshabalala were allegedly drag-racing in Mdlalose Street, Protea North, on March 8 last year.
They face charges of murder, attempted murder and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Earlier on Monday the doctors who had examined the boys who were injured testified. — Sapa