Smanga Kumalo and SAPA(Johannesburg) -Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye’s bid to appeal his murder conviction and sentence was denied in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Magistrate Brian Nemavhidi said based on all the facts before the court the applications by Maarohanye and his co-accused Themba Tshabalala failed. Tshabalala had wanted to appeal only his conviction.
The relatives of the victims, who were in court, celebrated when the decision was handed down. Maarohanye, in shackles, was clad in black trousers and a white shirt, and had his hair neatly braided.
Tshabalala, also in shackles, wore blue jeans, an orange shirt, and brown jacket. On December 5 last year, the same court sentenced them to 20 years imprisonment each for murder and four years for attempted murder.
For use of drugs, driving under the influence of drugs, and racing on a public road, they received a year for each count, to run concurrently. They were found guilty on October 16 last year.
They were drag-racing in Protea North on March 8, 2010, when they crashed into a group of schoolboys. Prince Mohube, Mlungisi Cwayi, Andile Mthombeni, and Phomello Masemola were killed. Frank Mlambo and Fumani Mushwana were left permanently brain damaged.
