Kwatsaduza residents talk about Jub Jub’s new sentence
Following the reduction of the sentances of Molemo 'Jub Jub' Maarohanye (34) and Themba Tshabalala (30) in the Johannesburg High Court last week, Kwatsaduza residents spoke about their views on the matter.
The pair was found guilty in the Protea Magistrate’s Court in December 2012 but on appeal, the Johannesburg High Court reduced their sentences last Wednesday.
The two had been behind bars for nearly two years.
Utilising the talents of the same legal team responsible for helping Oscar Pistorius dodge a murder conviction, the pair’s sentence was reduced from the 25 years they were sentenced to when they were found guilty of the drag-racing accident in which four schoolboys were killed and two others suffered brain damage in 2010.
On appeal, Maarohanye and Tshabalala were sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment each, with two years suspended for five years.
The nearly two years the pair have already served will be taken into account, so they will serve another six years.
Cynthia Nkosi from Tsakane said she is not happy that Maarohanye and Tshabalala’s sentences were reduced.
“I am very disappointed with our justice system,” said Nkosi.
Adding that the pair’s sentences should remain 25 years for killing the schoolboys and destroying the future of the two who were left brain damaged by the accident.
“They got a reduced sentence because they are known people and have money,” accused Nkosi, adding that the new sentence encourages motorists to drive recklessly where there are children, knowing that they will be able to appeal and have their sentences reduced.
She argued that she does not believe the drugs that Maarohanye and Tshabalala used made them believe that they would not cause a collision and that other road users would make way for them.
“According to law, no-one must drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs,” said an angry Nkosi.
She continued to say that she does not understand how the two climbed behind the wheel under the influence of drugs and did not think that they were a danger to themselves, other road users and pedestrians.
Duduza resident, Simon Shabalala said Maarohanye and Tshabalala deserve to rot in jail after leaving four families traumatised for killing their children and disabled the two boys.
“They did not only leave the two boys disabled but they made them dependent on their families to take care of them for the rest of their lives,” concluded Shabalala.
