Johannesburg, South Africa – Controversial musician and television presenter Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye has vehemently denied allegations of pointing a firearm at an e-hailing driver, asserting that his recent arrest stemmed from a profound misunderstanding. In a dramatic turn of events, Maarohanye, who was granted R5,000 bail at the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday, claims the confrontation was ignited by concerns over his girlfriend’s delayed journey home and an aggressive response from the driver.
In a founding affidavit presented to the court, Maarohanye painted a picture of escalating anxiety on the morning of June 14. He recounted struggling to maintain contact with his girlfriend as she travelled home, with repeated phone calls dropping due to persistent network problems. This communication breakdown, he contends, was the catalyst for the subsequent “chaotic altercation” that led to his apprehension.
The musician and presenter of the popular show Uyajola 9/9 told the court that tensions reached a boiling point only after the e-hailing vehicle finally arrived at his Eikenhof, Johannesburg, home. It was then, he alleges, that he confronted the driver about the inexplicable delays, a confrontation that quickly spiralled out of control and now forms the basis of the criminal case against him.
Maarohanye’s affidavit details his growing alarm as he repeatedly attempted to reach his girlfriend. The constant disconnections and inability to hear her properly fuelled his concern. Upon seeing the e-hailing vehicle pull into his property, he rushed outside, driven by worry, and immediately challenged the driver regarding the protracted journey. This initial query, he claims, was met with an unexpected and aggressive reaction.
According to Maarohanye, the situation rapidly deteriorated when the driver became aggressive during their exchange. “I saw my girlfriend running out of the motor vehicle towards the lift. I then shouted for the driver to stop,” Maarohanye stated in his affidavit, suggesting a sense of urgency and fear for his girlfriend’s safety. What followed, he alleges, was an even more shocking turn of events.
He further claimed that the driver then exited his vehicle, brandishing what appeared to be a firearm, and proceeded to fire blank rounds into the air. “The blank bullets make a loud gun-like sound. He then told me that he was not trying to fight with me,” the affidavit reads, portraying a scene of intimidation and confusion. Maarohanye maintains his innocence regarding the firearm allegations, unequivocally stating, “I deny that I pointed the complainant with a gun or discharged a firearm.” He insists that the driver later apologised, attributing the delays to mechanical problems with the vehicle and poor network connectivity, which, according to Maarohanye, explains the communication issues.
Despite his version of events, police arrested Maarohanye at his home later that same day, transporting him to the Edenvale police station. In his affidavit, the musician sought to reassure the court that he posed no danger to the public and was not a flight risk, making a strong case for his release on bail. He also directly addressed his past criminal history, including his culpable homicide conviction stemming from the tragic 2010 drag-racing crash in Soweto that claimed the lives of four schoolchildren. While acknowledging this dark chapter, he emphasised that he had fully served his sentence and meticulously complied with all correctional supervision conditions imposed by the courts, arguing that his past should not prejudice his current situation.
The affidavit further revealed that Maarohanye personally tendered the R5,000 bail, arguing forcefully that continued incarceration would severely impact both his personal life and professional commitments. He informed the court of his scheduled Youth Day performances and critical commitments linked to Moja Love productions, which would face significant disruption if he remained behind bars. “I have scheduled performances on the 16th of June 2026 and without working I will have to re-schedule shootings,” he stated, highlighting the financial and career implications of his detention.
Maarohanye was subsequently freed on R5,000 bail on Tuesday and is scheduled to appear back in court on Monday. The case has drawn significant public attention, not only due to Maarohanye’s celebrity status but also because of the serious nature of the allegations and his controversial past. The outcome of this legal battle will undoubtedly be closely watched, as it unfolds against a backdrop of heightened public scrutiny regarding celebrity conduct and the justice system.
This incident also casts a spotlight on the safety and reliability of e-hailing services, particularly concerning driver conduct and passenger security. While Maarohanye’s account places the blame squarely on the driver, the allegations raise broader questions about the vetting processes for e-hailing operators and the mechanisms in place to resolve disputes between drivers and passengers. The case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly routine journeys can quickly escalate into unforeseen and serious confrontations.
