South African TV presenter and musician, Molemo “Jub jub” Maarohanye (Pictures via Instagram – @official_jubjub)

Controversial South African TV personality and musician Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye looks to have avoided another stint in prison after all charges were withdrawn by the state in the Joburg Magistrates Court on Thursday, 4 July.

Jub Jub, who was arrested in July last year and was facing 13 charges, including rape, attempted murder, assault and kidnapping had denied all allegations leveled against him. Some of the incidents are said to have happened over two decades ago.

In a letter to Jub Jub’s lawyers dated 20 June, acting deputy director of public prosecution in Joburg, TJ Mbodi said that they had decided to withdraw charges because of the low prospects of getting a successful conviction.

“After careful perusal of the above-mentioned police case docket, together with the relevant prosecutors reports read in conjunction with your representation, this office has decided to withdraw the charges against the accused as there are no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.

“This decision follows careful consideration of the police case docket, the prosecutor’s report, and recommendations, coupled with information that was made available to the NPA through representations submitted by the defense to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

“The office of the DPP concluded that there are no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution,” the letter read.

Jub Jub, who was accompanied by his family members, including his father, Sydney Maarohanye, when he appeared in court, said he was relieved that the saga was finally behind him, as a lot of people had been questioning his character because of the seriousness of his alleged offenses.

“I feel relieved,” Jub Jub told the media.

“The truth always prevails. It is finally over. I can get my life back. I lost a lot. I lost a lot of money, time, and respect. I was called all sorts of names. I am happy that my family, legal team, and everybody else came to support me. I am happy,” he said.

In a media statement posted on his social media pages, Jub Jub also expressed his gratitude to his legal team for their unwavering commitment to justice and truth.

“This verdict brings a sense of relief and vindication not only to me but also to all those who supported me. The outpouring of support has been truly touching, and I am grateful for it,” read the statement.

Jub Jub found himself at risk of spending more time in jail after TV personality and businesswoman Amanda du Pont accused her ex-boyfriend of having previously admitted to raping her.

This was contained in a statement that Du Pont had submitted to police in support of a rape case she has laid against the rapper at the Brixton police station in Joburg in 2022.

Du Pont had first made the rape allegations against Maarohanye in a video clip she posted on her Instagram account. This was after Maarohanye had boasted during an interview with podcaster Mac G about “smashing” her.

Jub Jub was released on parole in 2018 after he and Themba Tshabalala were convicted in 2012 for crashing their cars into a group of school children in 2010. The accident left four boys dead and two others seriously injured. Telly Africa