Andile Mthombeni, one of the victims of the vehicle accident in which well-known musician Jub Jub Maarohanye was allegedly involved, was buried during an emotional ceremony at Shimanani Village near Malamulele on Saturday.
Mourners during the funeral called for a harsh sentence for those responsible for the premature death of Andile and his friends. They included the principal, learners, staff and the school governing body at Altermond Technical High school in Gauteng, where Andile was in Grade 11.
Two of Andile’s friends, Miyelani Shabangu and Bruno Novela, said Andile was a good role model. “He was very disciplined. We had formed a group with Kaizer Mdaka and the three of us used to debate matters. He liked music and liked 50 Cents a lot. He also liked soccer; the local team he supported was Kaizer Chiefs while he supported Liverpool internationally,” said Miyelani.
Bruno said he would also remember Andile. “He was very intelligent and very up to date; you could consult him on anything educational and he would have the answers.”
The two said they liked the music of Jub Jub, but after the incident they will no longer have anything to do with it.
The principal of the school, Johannes Molefe, also said he regretted such an accident because it was caused by someone’s negligence.
Chief Shigamani said he was saddened by the manner of the accident. “We have been heartened because the charges have been changed to murder. We will be keeping tabs on the case because in South Africa people with money sometimes get released on certain technicalities,” said the chief.
Maahoranye has since appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court and was granted bail last week, amidst heavy protests by scholars. He is said to have hired a private security company to guard him and his family as there were threats to kill him if he was granted bail.