Jub Jub case to be heard in October

Five days in October have been set down for trial in the murder case against Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye and co-accused Kenneth Tshabalala.

Maarohanye and Tshabalala appeared in the Protea Magistrate's court on Friday. They face four murder charges after an accident with their two Mini Coopers in March this year which left four school children dead.

The case was delayed as Tshabalala was late.

Before entering the dock, a fluish Maarohanye sat in the public gallery blowing his nose. A family member sat behind him with a roll of toilet paper on her lap, occasionally handing him a sheet.

The case would run from October 18 to 22 in the same court.

Pandemonium had previously broken out at court appearances with protesters and families making death threats against Maarohanye. However no protesters were present on Friday.

A victim's family spokesman, Thabo Mpesi, told reporters outside court that some of the families had managed to understand what had happened but for others the accident was still fresh in the minds. "Some emotions are still running high and they are finding it difficult to recover. We are of the view that reconciliation is necessary and although what has happened is sad, life has to continue," said Mpesi.

Mpesi was also a trustee for Parent in Action Trust (PIAT) which was set up for the victims’ families after the incident.