Johannesburg - Convicted murderers Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye and Themba Tshabalala will have to wait longer to know their fate after sentencing was postponed in the Protea Magistrate's Court on Friday.
Attorney Rudi Krause, for Maarohanye, applied for the postponement, saying he was recently appointed and did not have enough time to prepare his pre-sentencing report.
Krause said he would call two expert witnesses during pre-sentencing arguments and needed time to compile the reports, but assured the court that the State would have the reports on Monday.
“I give my learned friend's assurance that the reports will be ready by no later than noon on Monday for them to prepare,” Krause said.
“Under these circumstances I request that the matter be adjourned.”
After no objection from either the State or Tshabalala's lawyer, magistrate Brian Nemavhidi granted the postponement.
“The matter is postponed to December 5,” he said.
“However, counsel for accused one (Maarohanye) must present the reports to the State no later than Monday.”
Courtroom six at the Soweto court was packed ahead of proceedings, with many people standing.
Photographers and cameramen were also set up in the front of the court.
Maarohanye was wearing a white-collared shirt with blue jeans and Tshabalala was wearing a blue-and-red striped shirt, blue jeans and black jacket.
Both men stood in the dock, looking at the magistrate during their brief appearance.
Six police officers, some heavily armed, were sitting at the door to keep an eye on people entering and to ensure order during the proceedings.
On October 16, Nemavhidi found Maarohanye and Tshabalala guilty on four counts of murder and two of attempted murder, using drugs, racing on a public road, and driving under the influence of drugs.
Maarohanye and Tshabalala were drag-racing in Protea North on March 8, 2010 when they crashed into a group of schoolboys.
Prince Mohube, Mlungisi Cwayi, Andile Mthombeni, and Phomello Masemola, were killed. Frank Mlambo and Fumani Mushwana were left permanently brain damaged.
Nemavhidi denied bail to Maarohanye and Tshabalala after he handed down judgment.
Maarohanye approached the High Court in Johannesburg on November 7 against the decision to have his bail revoked. The court ruled against the musician.
Family of the school children were seated in the second, third, and fourth row of the public gallery wearing white golf shirts with the names of the children printed on the back.
After proceedings, some parents expressed their disappointment with the postponement, saying they wanted to put the accident behind them.
Family and friends of Maarohanye were also present in court.
Maarohanye appointed Krause on November 21.
According to a City Press report on Wednesday, Krause was appointed because he had more experience in dealing with Schedule 6 offences and in the hope to get a lighter sentence for Maarohanye.
Krause represented Blue Bulls rugby player Bees Roux, who did not have to serve jail time for killing a metro police officer with his bare hands in August 2010.
He is also representing Nigerian terror accused Henry Okah, accused of masterminding two car bombings in Abuja, Nigeria, where 12 people died and 36 were injured. - Sapa