'I had to swerve to avoid the Mini'
A MINIBUS driver, testifying in the murder trial of Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye and co-accused Themba Tshabalala, yesterday described how he had to swerve to avoid colliding with one of the cars.
FACING THE MUSIC: Molemo 'Jub Jub' Maarohanye, seen here with Chris Matshaba, North West FM presenter and also Jub Jub's manager, outside the Protea Magistrate's Court during their murder trial. PHOTO: MOHAU MOFOKENGBenjamin Maseko, who was driving a white minibus that was carrying 12 Grade R pupils, told the Protea Magistrate's Court that he had to evade the blue Mini Cooper driving towards him and in the process hit the kerb on Mdlalose Street in Soweto.
Maarohanye was driving a silver-grey Mini Cooper and Tshabalala a blue Mini Cooper.
Maarohanye and Tshabalala are on trial on four counts of murder, two of attempted murder, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and reckless and negligent driving.
They are alleged to have been drag racing while high on drugs and drunk on Mdlalose Street on March 8 2010.
Maseko, from Yeoville in Johannesburg, said: "I ferry children from Rosettenville. The children are from Protea North and Protea Glen. I had just dropped off the children from Protea North and was proceeding to Glen, driving on a street that links the two.
"I do not know the name of the street but there is another name I've heard it being referred to [after the accident]. They call it 'Jub Jub Avenue'," said Maseko to an outburst of laughter from the court gallery.
He said as he turned left into "Jub Jub Avenue", he was stopped at a road block. "As I was going down the road . there was a grey Mini Cooper facing me. It was going towards Protea North," said Maseko, adding "No, it was not in my lane," when asked for clarity.
"Just as we were about to pass each other, another blue vehicle approached. It appeared to be overtaking the grey one. I was not even aware that there was a blue car there. I swerved to the left and hit the kerb. The manner in which it approached, it seemed to be coming fast," Maseko said.
He said nothing had indicated to him that the vehicles were racing. He said none of the children "were hurt but they were traumatised".
Maseko's version was however different from that of state witnesses Maki Ndlovu and Nono Mabote, who testified that when a white minibus (Maseko's) approached from the opposite direction, the silver Mini Cooper, which was travelling in the right-hand lane, swerved into the left lane and collided with the blue one.
Mpjayalenyora
These two seem to be on cordial terms. Its surprising seeing that Jub Jub is snitching on his friend...what a p.u.n.k!Report Abuse
xingoma-ntanda
i think the taxi driver witness has been bribed to ensure that he does not implicate jub-jubReport Abuse
Gaddaffi
it is clear that the taxi driver (Mageza) has been bribed. the injuries due to impact indicates clearly that the cars were driving really fest...the fast & furious...drag racing. these guys must go striaght to filthy jail.Report Abuse
ayifuni-WENA-leyo
these guys must go to jail finish & klaar, or if the court fails to do so the community will make sure that they suffer.....& jub Jub just because he has money he thinks everything can be bought not this tym baba...Report Abuse
Lungu
Were is justice in this country these boys behave like they own the country like Mandla Mandela, this case was suppose to have been sealed a long time ago.Report Abuse
Mphemotho1
Booohoooo leave JUB JUB ALONE!!!!I told you that JUB JUB hit a tree not those children......
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Nonopie
HAI HAI THIS MINI BUS DRIVER SHOULD HAVE HIS BANK ACCOUNT CHECKED,COZ I THNK HE WAS BRIBED.... LOLReport Abuse
TDK
Case dismissed.The so-called expert of road collision happen not to be an expert after all and that he all denied that cars collided with each other before either or both hit the victims.
Secondly, Maseko's testimony is completely different from the other witness who earlier mentioned that JJ's car collided with the other mini.
Thirdly, both cars seemed not to be drag racing.
The state failed to prove which car is responsible for the deaths of the pupils.
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