By Marcus Moloko
Popular TV personality and musician Molemo Jub Jub Maarohanye’s case for allegedly discharging what police believe was a firearm during an altercation involving an e-hailing driver in Edenvale in June has been postponed to September.
A warrant of arrest was cancelled in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court after Maarohanye’s legal defence submitted a medical certificate.
The warrant was issued after he failed to appear in court, with his lawyer citing ill health.
ALSO READ: ANALYSIS| New White Paper, new funding model: can SA reset local government?
The court heard how Maarohanye forgot the original certificate in the car he was using at the time. A copy of the certificate was emailed by the doctor.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the warrant was subsequently held over until Maarohanye’s next court appearance on Monday (today)
During the court appearance, the State requested a postponement to allow sufficient time to fully furnish the defence with the docket contents.
Maarohanye faces charges of possession of an imitation firearm with the intent to commit an offence and pointing of anything likely to cause a person to believe that it is a firearm.
Maarohanye, 46, is out on R5 000 bail and faces charges of discharging a firearm in a public place and pointing anything likely to lead a person to believe that it is a firearm.
NPA’s spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole confirmed the NPA was ready to proceed with the matter to ensure prosecution was conducted fairly, impartially and in accordance with the law.
Mahlatlole said police officials seized a pellet gun at Maarohanye’s residence during the investigation.
The matter had previously been postponed to allow for further investigations.
His lawyer said Maarohanye had been booked off for five days and that a medical certificate would be provided to the court within the allocated timeframe.
The defence also sought to clarify the charges currently before the court, saying the allegations against Maarohanye had changed since his arrest.
ALSO READ: Xaba says first phase of decade-late GO!Durban will launch in December
“There was a litany of charges against him,” his lawyer said.
“He was arrested. And then, when we came back to the case, those charges were watered down. It is no longer hijacking or whatever, kidnapping. It has moved down to his charge for pointing what may or may not be a firearm.”
