VUYO MKIZE
HIP HOP star Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye has until tomorrow to sort out his financial problems or he could lose his lawyer.
Yesterday morning his lawyer, Ike Motloung, told the Protea Magistrate’s Court how Maarohanye had been battling to pay his legal fees. He said Maarohanye had promised to pay him by mid-week.
But “Wednesday is not worth the paper it’s written on,” Motloung said.
“My client has picked up financial problems and I cannot proceed without the funds… I warned my client that if he goes on at this rate, I’ll withdraw and that would be tragic.”
Maarohanye and his co-accused, Themba Tshabalala, are accused of the murder of four schoolboys. This followed a car accident while the two were allegedly drag racing along Protea Boulevard and lost control of their cars, ploughing into a group of teenagers walking home from school.
Four of the boys were killed and two have been left with permanent brain injuries.
Maarohanye and Tshabalala also face charges of attempted murder and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
During the trial, evidence was led that Andile Mthombeni, Prince Mahube, Phomelelo Masemola and Mlungisi Cwayi had all suffered serious neck injuries and multiple wounds and had blood in all three ventricles of the brain, a sign of massive injuries to the head.
The boys died on the scene.
Motloung said that if Maarohanye’s financial problems persisted, he would have to advise his client to apply for legal aid.
The lawyer could not be drawn to disclose how much Maarohanye owed him in legal fees.
The Star reported last month that Maarohanye’s business manager Jeff Marhanele told the paper that the singer, who shot to fame with his smash hit Ndikhokhele, earned more than R50 000 a week from music shows. He said Maarohanye got on average three bookings a week, getting between R20 000 and R25 000 a gig.
The court case came just after the rising star had released his third album, Fresh Air. “The album didn’t even take off,” Marhanele said at the time.
State prosecutor Raymond Mathenjwa was clear about what needed to be done. “Between now and Wednesday, he (Maarohanye) must solve his financial problems. By Wednesday, he must come back and if he hasn’t solved the problems, he must apply for legal aid. The State’s case is still on. We still have several witnesses to put on the stand to testify.”
Meanwhile, a stylishly dressed Maarohanye, who had his head bent down and was quiet during the court proceedings, sneaked out of court, using a small pathway outside the court.
The case was adjourned until October 10.
Additional reporting by Lebogang Seale