Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye’s lawyer has insisted that the media personality is innocent, as a criminal case linked to an alleged confrontation with an e-hailing driver continues to threaten his career and keep him before the courts.
Maarohanye appeared in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where he faces charges of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an offence and pointing anything likely to cause a person to believe it is a firearm.
The matter stems from an alleged incident in Edenvale, Ekurhuleni, on 14 June. Maarohanye is accused of confronting an e-hailing driver whom he allegedly suspected of having a romantic relationship with his girlfriend after she had been dropped off at a residence in the area.
The confrontation allegedly became heated, with the driver reportedly forced into Maarohanye’s vehicle and prevented from leaving. A firearm was allegedly discharged in the driver’s direction before the man managed to escape unharmed and report the incident at a nearby police station.
The National Prosecuting Authority said a pellet gun was seized from Maarohanye’s home during the investigation. He was initially charged with kidnapping, unlawful discharge of a firearm and defeating the ends of justice. The charges before the court have since been listed as possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an offence and pointing anything likely to cause a person to believe it is a firearm.
Speaking to journalists outside court on Monday, Maarohanye’s advocate, Henry Motsemme, rejected the allegations and said his client had not carried out any of the acts described by the State.
“Very much so, he didn’t do [what] these guys are saying he did. He didn’t,” Motsemme said.
“He didn’t kidnap anyone, he didn’t fire anything to anyone”.
Motsemme said the allegations were being taken very seriously because they had damaged Maarohanye’s reputation and affected his ability to work. The presenter is best known for Uyajola 9/9, a television programme that made him one of South Africa’s most recognisable media personalities.
The lawyer said he was confident that the court would eventually clear his client and that the trial would reveal what had really happened on the day of the alleged confrontation.
“Eventually the court will clear him, he will be cleared,” Motsemme said, adding that the public would find out “what really happened” during the trial.
Motsemme said Maarohanye was under considerable pressure and was finding it difficult to secure the same amount of work he had received before the case.
“He can’t get [as much] work as he used to. It’s a big problem for him,” he said.
“He feels very sad that such things keep coming up when he’s doing all he can to try and be a productive member of society. Small little things are getting blown out of proportion, and they affect him very badly.”
The latest court appearance also followed a previous failure to attend court. A warrant of arrest was issued for Maarohanye on 24 August after he did not appear. The court was told that he had been ill on the day.
On Monday, his legal team handed the court a copy of a sick note. The court heard that Maarohanye had forgotten the original document in the vehicle that transported him from his doctor’s appointment.
According to Motsemme, Maarohanye only remembered on Sunday night, after his lawyers asked him to bring the original note to court on Monday, that it might have been left in the car. The vehicle was reportedly in Pietermaritzburg at the time. The legal team already had copies of the document that had been sent by the doctor.
The explanation was presented as the court dealt with the warrant and the reasons behind Maarohanye’s earlier absence. Court proceedings in criminal matters require accused people to attend unless a lawful arrangement has been made, making a missed appearance a serious issue for any person facing charges.
The State told the court that its investigations were complete and that it was ready to proceed. However, the matter was postponed to 17 September to allow the State enough time to provide the defence with copies of the docket.
Maarohanye remains out on R5 000 bail. The postponement means the case will continue at a later date, with the court expected to deal with the next stage of the proceedings once the defence has received the relevant documents.
The allegations have placed the media personality under intense public attention. His lawyer has argued that the case has already had a serious impact on his livelihood, while the State maintains that the matter must follow the legal process before any final decision can be made.
For now, the allegations remain just that. Maarohanye has not been convicted, and his advocate has made it clear that the defence will challenge the case and seek his acquittal. The State will have to present its evidence in court, while the defence will have the opportunity to test that evidence and present its own case.
This is not the first time Maarohanye has faced legal trouble. In 2023, he was charged with rape, assault and attempted murder. The supplied court report does not state the outcome of those charges, and no conclusion about them can be drawn from the information available.
The latest case has now placed his public image, career and personal life under renewed scrutiny. Supporters will be watching to see whether his lawyer’s confidence is matched by the evidence presented in court, while the prosecution will be expected to account for the allegations surrounding the Edenvale incident.
With the case postponed to 17 September, the courtroom battle is far from over. Until the court reaches a verdict, Maarohanye remains an accused person who is entitled to the presumption of innocence, while the serious allegations against him will continue to follow him both inside and outside the courtroom.
