Jub Jub breaks down
19 March 2010, 07:21
Hip- hop star Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye wept as he described as "a pure accident" the high-speed crash in which four children were killed.
Dressed in a charcoal pinstriped suit and gleaming patent shoes and sporting neatly styled braids, the musician took the stand as accused number one in his and Themba Tshabalala's bail hearing at the Protea Magistrate's Court in Soweto.
The case has seen an outpouring of anger by Soweto pupils, and the police calling on all their support structures to ensure the case remains under control.
Yesterday Jub Jub took the stand to explain why he should be granted bail.
As he wept, so did his relatives. Also crying were the families of the boys who died.
"How do you feel about the incident now?" his lawyer, Ike Motloung, asked.
"That morning when I woke up I didn't know there was going to be this accident.
"Personally, I do a lot of work with the youth. In spirit, honestly, I don't feel good. I send my condolences to the families, and that's it, sir. I don't understand why the media wants to crucify my career.
"Anybody can be in an accident... this was a pure accident," he responded as the bereaved parents sobbed.
Speaking in quiet tones, Jub Jub told the court he was born in the Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital. He was living with his parents as his rented home had burnt down almost two weeks ago.
He had worked as a musician since 2005, earned on average R20 000 a month and employed numerous people, with the number varying according to the scale of his performances.
Vowing not to interfere with investigations or witnesses if granted bail, he stated: "I've never committed crime. I don't intend to, I won't."
When Motloung prompted him on how much bail he could afford, Jub Jub became emotional as he said: "Right now I would do anything to get my life back on track. I'm not guilty."
Prosecutor Lizelle van Jaarsveld cross-examined him on his recent participation in the Celebrity Survivor reality show, in which he left a Mozambican island early in the game before being voted out.
In the broadcast episode he claimed he was leaving because he had developed a rash on his genitals. But yesterday Jub Jub claimed this had been a publicity stunt aimed at attracting more black viewers to DStv.
"But there are some reports that went around at that time that you left because they found drugs in your blood," Van Jaarsveld said.
"Ma'am, with respect, there were 18 of us on the show, and we were all fully checked out," he said, adding the only thing that doctors found was he had jaundice.
Asked why his preliminary urine test results showed positive for cocaine and morphine, Jub Jub said he declined to answer this on advice of his lawyer, who had instructed him to respond only to questions relating to the crash during the hearing.
Earlier it emerged that the two passengers in the crash were turned away when they tried to give their statements to police because they were prime defence witnesses. This emerged during Motloung's cross-examination of Protea Glen station commander Captain Moses Mogapo.
Motloung has repeatedly grilled police on their reluctance to take witness statements from the two passengers involved in the crash.
Tshabalala did not take the stand because of "high emotions" and his statement was read out by lawyer Mlungiseleni Soviti.
In the statement, Tshabalala said he had not engaged in drag racing or murder and wished to convey his heartfelt condolences to the many people affected by the accident.
"I intend visiting the families as soon as I am able," his statement read, prompting loud murmurs from the gallery.
He said he was a breadwinner, had a safe place to stay if his life was deemed to be in danger, and could afford bail of R8 000.
The hearing continues today.
- This article was originally published on page 1 of The Star on March 19, 2010
Cape Town
IOL ENTERTAINMENT
IOL TECHNOLOGY
IOL JOBS
IOL TRAVEL
IOL MOTORING
BUSINESS REPORT
