A SOUTH African court on Tuesday found rapper Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye guilty of ploughing his car into a group of children while drugged and drunk, killing four and seriously injuring two more.
A Soweto court found the rap star guilty on four counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Maarohanye and his co-accused Themba Tshabalala were said to have been drag racing with two Mini Coopers in the township on March 8, 2010, under the influence of a cocktail of drugs and alcohol, when they hit a group of school children.
The verdict was read by Brian Nemavhidi of the Protea Magistrate's Court to cries of emotion from the relatives of the deceased.
"The death of the deceased occurred as a result of the driving of those vehicles and as such the accused are convicted of driving their vehicles while under the influence of drugs," Nemavhidi said.
"The accused in the case are found guilty on four counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.”
Prince Mohube, Mlungisi Cwayi, Andile Mthombeni and Phomello Masemola were killed in the accident while Frank Mlambo and Fumani Mushwana were seriously injured.
Nemavhidi said the accident would not have occurred had both Maarohanye and Tshabalala not taken the decision to drive under the influence of intoxicating substances.
"The death of the deceased was caused by the accused's reckless driving at high speeds while under the influence of drugs and alcohol," he said.
Drug tests performed on Maarohanye and Tshabalala after the incident tested positive for morphine and cocaine.
"Insinuation of tampering with drug tests can't stand. The results did not change," the magistrate said.
"The urine samples were not tampered with and the cellphone video was not compromised."
Maarohanye's version of events on the day of the crash was earlier rejected.
"This version is not accurate as it contradicts the accepted versions," said Nemavhidi. "He [Maarohanye] could not explain why his fans, who were excited to see him and even recorded him, would falsely implicate him in the accident."
Nemavhidi also rejected Tshabalala's evidence, saying it contradicted that of state witnesses.
"It is not true that you overtook accused one [Maarohanye] when it was safe to do so," he said.
Nemavhidi said two witnesses testifying for Maarohanye collaborated their evidence to suit his version but they failed to convince the court.
Emotions ran high in the courtroom as the magistrate read out the judgment. Maarohanye appeared emotionless as he heard the verdict, which was broadcast live on television. The mother of one of the victims passed out during the proceedings and had to be carried from the court.
Road accidents kill nearly 40 people every day in South Africa, with unreliable vehicles and poor driving - including excessive speeding and drunkenness - mostly to blame.
Sentencing was postponed to next month, with legal experts predicting life sentences.
NEWS REPORT FROM DEATH ROAD
JUB JUB: NDIKHOKHELE