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On a 'high of drugs and booze' |
| Cops say Jub Jub and other speedster tested positive after death crash Hip-Hop star Molemo Maarohanye, popularly known as Jub Jub, was apparently not only drunk but also high on drugs when he was involved in an accident in which four teenagers lost their lives. Police sources have confirmed that Jub Jub and Themba Tshabalala, the driver of the other Mini Cooper involved in the crash, had both tested positive for alcohol and drugs. On Monday afternoon Jub Jub and Tshabalala were drag racing down Protea Boulevard in Protea Glen, Soweto. According to eyewitnesses, one of the cars tried to overtake the other but the driver had to duck back into his lane as there was an oncoming vehicle. As he did so, he hit the second Mini. Both vehicles veered off the road, climbed the verge, and one or both ploughed into the teenagers. Andile Mthombeni, who was in Grade 11, Prince Mohube (Grade 10), Mlungisi Cwayi (Grade 12) and Phomello Masemola (Grade 10) were killed instantly. Two others remain in a critical condition in Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital. Jub Jub and Tshabalala were due to appear yesterday in the Protea Magistrate's Court on charges of culpable homicide, drunk driving and reckless and negligent driving. Their appearance was delayed after Jub Jub apparently complained of being in pain. The two were taken to a hospital where they were given a clean bill of health and taken back to the holding cells. They were expected to appear in court today. Community leader Dlangezwa Mvelase said a protest would be held outside the court. "We want to oppose their bail," said Mvelase. In the meanwhile, police investigations into the crash have revealed that Jub Jub may not have been alone in his car. It is understood that a well-known TV actress, whose name is known to The Star, was a passenger in the vehicle and fled when the car came to a stop. Police are still trying to find her. And while much is known about Jub Jub and his colourful career, the driver of the second car, Tshabalala, is no celebrity. He lives in the upmarket Diepkloof Extension, comes from a well-off family, and according to sources close to him, is known for driving fancy cars. Tshabalala, who previously worked for a bank, runs a bottlestore in White City, Jabavu. Monday's tragedy was not the first on this stretch of road. Seven schoolchildren have died in vehicle-related accidents on the busy Protea Boulevard. Several others have been injured. According to Tetelo Secondary School headmaster Sithembiso Mthethwa, three pupils from his school were killed instantly in 2003 when they were knocked down by a speeding vehicle. In 2008, another pupil, who was trying to cross the road, was injured after being run over, and last year, another pupil - on her way to her matric dance - was knocked down. Daphney Mlobela was one of those injured in 2008. Her body still carries the scars of the accident. But when she heard about Monday's accident she realised how lucky she was. "I was shocked when I heard that four people died in one go. I count myself very lucky". The high number of accidents prompted Mthethwa in 2008 to call on the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to erect speed humps, crash barriers and a sidewalk because Protea Boulevard was a daily route for his pupils. In his letter, Mthethwa explained that "the pedestrian path is so small that pedestrians and learners are forced to walk in the tar road, exposing them to the danger of being killed by cars". The JRA responded to his letter a year later, saying: "At present, a backlog for the construction of guardrails exists due to the lack of funds... Unfortunately no funds have been made available for this type of work during the current financial year." The letter ends with the traffic engineer: road safety William Mabotja saying: "Your request will however be placed on this department's installation of guardrails priority list." Said a stunned Mthethwa: "This could have been avoided. I could see this coming. That's why I wrote this letter. I have seen children walking there and I know it's dangerous." Setting up a kilometre of guardrails at the site would have cost R10 000. Each speed hump would have cost R9 000. By Solly Maphumulo - additional reporting by Sapa The Star 10/03/10e3 Click here to respond to this article - Your responses will get vetted and printed on "Have your Say" |
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