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File Photo - Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye during his murder trial in the Protea Magistrate's Court. Photo: Dumisani Sibeko

An eyewitness in the murder trial of musician Jub Jub” Maarohanye and Themba Tshabalala tried to avoid the police, the Protea Magistrate's Court heard on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Raymond Mathenjwa told the court that police contacted defence witness Benjamin Maseko seven times on his phone and also visited his home in Rockville several times.

Messages were left on the phone and with his family, but he did not get back to investigators.

Mathenjwa said a police officer had to hide near Maseko's home and ambush him before he eventually made a statement on April 11, 2010.

This was a month after the March 8, 2010 accident that claimed the lives of four schoolchildren and injured two along Mdlalose Drive between Protea North and Protea Glen.

Maseko gave his contact details to the police shortly after the accident and was sought by them to give his account of what happened.

On Wednesday, Maseko said that, at the time, he had not been ready to take a stand in the matter. He was ready only by last year.

Maseko, who was contacted to testify for the defence by Maarohanye's legal representative on Monday, was asked by Mathenjwa what initiative he had taken as a responsible citizen and a father to get back to the police.

He said he had not done anything “because I knew I had given my contact details to the police”.

“I put it to you that you were not a willing party to assist the State,” Mathenjwa said.

Maseko told the court he had not expected the police to look for him.

“I was scared then because of the nature of the accident,” he said.

Maarohanye and Tshabalala have been charged with murder, attempted murder as well as reckless or negligent driving under the influence of drugs.

The two allegedly ploughed into a group of school children while racing their Mini Coopers.

Maseko was transporting 12 children when he crashed into a kerb to avoid one of the Mini Coopers that was allegedly recklessly overtaking the other.

Maseko earlier testified that the blue Mini Cooper had been overtaking and had crashed into the other vehicle. He said he did not see the actual point of impact.

Previous witnesses testified that Maarohanye was driving the grey Mini Cooper while the blue one was driven by Tshabalala.

The trial continues. – Sapa

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