The legal battle involving former Metro FM presenter Masechaba Khumalo and musician Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye has taken a dramatic turn.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has withdrawn the rape case following submissions by Maarohanye’s lawyer, Ntsako Baloyi.
This decision has ignited a fierce debate about sexual assault allegations, evidence weight, and public opinion’s role in the justice system.
Khumalo claimed in her police statement that Maarohanye rap3d her when she was 16 and a virgin, during their dating period.
She described an incident at his parents’ home in Naturena, where after watching a movie, he allegedly pinned her down and forced himself on her. She said she only disclosed the assault to her parents after Maarohanye bragged about “smashing” her on the “Podcast and Chill with MacG.”
Baloyi, in his submissions to the NPA, questioned the validity of Khumalo’s claims and suggested a possible ulterior motive.
He highlighted Khumalo’s public disclosure of her father’s alleged rap3 of her at age nine, arguing it was strange she never mentioned Maarohanye’s alleged assault despite sharing details of her traumatic past publicly.
Baloyi argued, “Her claim that the applicant forced himself onto her as a ‘virgin’ is false. It brings into question the validity of her claims since her father raped her when she was nine. It is far-fetched and impractical.”
Baloyi also noted Khumalo’s public praise of Maarohanye’s talent on his show “Uyajola 9/9,” which he said contradicted her assault claim. He suggested her decision to come forward was influenced by the “Me Too” movement, sparked by Maarohanye’s ex-lover Amanda du-Pont’s public rape accusation against him.
“If the applicant assaulted her, why does she publicly acknowledge and praise him and then accuse him of rape? It just does not make sense,” Baloyi stated.
The NPA’s decision to withdraw the case has received mixed reactions. Some support the decision due to the lack of corroborating evidence and inconsistencies in Khumalo’s narrative. Others condemn the decision, arguing it sends a dangerous message to sexual assault victims and undermines their claims’ credibility.
“This is a travesty of justice,” said a spokesperson for the South African Women’s Network. “The NPA’s decision to withdraw the case without a proper investigation is a slap in the face to all survivors of sexual violence. It sends a message that their voices don’t matter.”
The Jub Jub case highlights the complexities of sexual assault allegations, especially involving public figures. It raises important questions about public opinion’s role in the justice system and the need for a nuanced approach to sexual violence allegations.
While the NPA has withdrawn the case, the debate is likely to continue, exposing deep divisions in South African society about the nature of sexual assault, the burden of proof, and the justice system’s role in protecting victims.