In a case likely to set a significant legal precedent, a Fort Beaufort man was yesterday found guilty of murdering three Bedford children after he "recklessly" drove a stolen car into them during a high-speed car chase.

Acting Grahamstown High Court Judge John Grogan sentenced Sonwabo Qeqe, 31, to an effective 18 years in prison for the three murders and the theft of a motor vehicle.

The case, says Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Lungi Mahlati, has "massive" legal significance – not least of all for musician Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye, who is facing charges in Gauteng in a case with similar circumstances.

In June last year, Qeqe had "recklessly" driven a stolen car through Bedford with police in hot pursuit.

The chase took place at 2pm when dozens of schoolchildren were flocking out of their schools and into the streets.

At a T-junction, he had attempted to cut a corner, hitting and killing a child who had been on the sidewalk.

The car then careened across the road and hit and killed two more children on the opposite sidewalk.

Amaza Lupuwana, aged 2, Zuqhame Jantjies, 7 years, and Sandisiwe Dikana, aged 9, died of horrific injuries on the scene.

Judge Grogan said that "no reasonable, law-abiding person" would have driven in such a manner in a built-up area.

He said Qeqe had been aware of pedestrians in the streets but had continued to drive recklessly.

"(Qeqe) must have known that … someone could be struck by vehicle." He said that Qeqe had been in possession and control of an instrument "no less lethal" than a firearm and he had used it with "fatal effect".

Qeqe was found guilty of murder dolus eventualis, which means he had an "indirect intention" to kill the three children.

In terms of the law the State had to prove that Qeqe foresaw the likelihood that his reckless driving through township streets filled with pedestrians could result in a fatal accident, but had recklessly disregarded this outcome.

In giving sentence, Grogan said Qeqe had sought only to evade police and put his own interests first.

There was continuing "carnage" on South African roads as a result of reckless driving. "In this case the recklessness went beyond ‘taking a chance’. It was a deliberate act in which (Qeqe) deliberately ignored the safety of the public, with tragic consequences that must have been foreseen by him as a possibility."

He said the children, who had died, had suffered "horrendous injuries" and their families had been left devastated by his selfish and reckless actions.

Advocate Mahlati said the terrible facts of this particular case had led to his office to charge Qeqe with murder rather than culpable homicide. He said the "Jub Jub" case could "only benefit" from the guidance this judgment would provide.

Source: Daily Dispatch

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Fri May 24 12:20:38 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 9, 2011

Mellow

Jub-jub and shabalala brace yourself since you killed 4 while you were speeding, drunk and high i say 30years am praying for LIFE but this is SA our justice system favors criminals
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Jun 9, 2011

Mellow

TYPO i meant brace yourselves guys
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Jun 9, 2011

nicki

Good
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Jun 9, 2011

Knan

JUB JUB wa latela, and we are watching you like hawks
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Jun 9, 2011

MsKinkyakaKamaSutra

Ayeye Jub Jub, o montjeng......... Lawyer ya hao needs to "pick up his socks"
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Jun 9, 2011

Mellow

@Kamasutra jub-jub and his lawyer are coming up with another way of delaying things jub-jub is apparently now asking to have his own CELLPHONE EXPERT to analyse the cellphone used to record him and his co-accused Tshabalala racing
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Jun 9, 2011

Mosotho

Ag shiiit man. Who cares about this anymore. Our justice system is roten. Especially with jubjub.
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Jun 9, 2011

OpportunityNyoni

jubu jubu ayeye.
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Jun 9, 2011

Mahlol'adibona

The judge/magistrate should have imposed life sentence here as we are talking about a thug driving a stolen car, running away from the law-enforcement agencies & killing the kids in the process. The sentence is too light and should be reviewed. As for Jub-Jub and this Tshabalala fellow, I wish they lock you up and throw away the keys.
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Jun 9, 2011

Sinudeity

Why is this guys case over and done with, quick-quick...

But were still waiting on JubJub?
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