The Department of Correctional Services confirmed on Thursday the placement on parole of award-winning hip hop artist Katlego Molemo Maarohanye and his co-accused Themba Shabalala with immediate effect, this after serving four years in prison.
Maarohanye, popularly known as Jub Jub, and Shabalala were both given their eight-year prison terms after being convicted of culpable homicide in 2012.
In March 2010 the duo had ploughed their Mini Coopers into a group of school kids in Protea North, Soweto, killing four and leaving one brain dead while drag-racing under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
They were initially sentenced to 20 years in prison for murder, but the sentences were reduced after a second appeal which found them guilty of culpable homicide, a lesser charge.
In a statement, the department said the parole was approved by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards (CSPBs) of Leeuwkop and Baviaanspoort where the men had been held separately.
Department spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said both parolees, classified as first-time offenders with a positive support system were being placed on parole in line with Section 73 of the Correctional Services Act.
The Act determines the minimum periods of sentence that must be served before consideration may be given to possible placement on parole.
Maarohanye and Shabalala have served four years, one month and one day behind bars.
“They participated in relevant correctional programmes and were further assessed by our special services experts, which among others, include social workers and psychologists in order to determine their suitability for parole placement,” Nxumalo said.
“They will complete the remainder of the sentence in the system of community corrections, whereby they must comply with specific set of conditions and will be subjected to supervision until the sentence expires.”
The department said South Africa had opted for a progressive parole system that was based on international best practice.
This allows for independent decision-making by CSPBs, and in certain cases allows for the involvement of other role-players including representatives of the South African Police, the Department of Justice and even victims.
Nxumalo said in line with the provisions of both the Criminal Procedure Act and Correctional Services Act, the families of the victims were invited and some participated in the deliberations of Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards.
“It is important to note that parole forms part of the total rehabilitation programme in correcting offending behaviour and includes the continuation of programmes aimed at reintegration whilst in the system of community corrections,” Nxumalo added.
– African News Agency (ANA)
