Mbabane – About seven motorists arrested for drink-driving offences appeared before the Mbabane Principal Magistrate, Fikile Nhlabatsi, today, where they were fined a total of E35 000 under the Road Traffic Act No. 6 of 2007.
Nhlabatsi handed varied sentences and fines including a recording of 2.00 mg/l, four times the permitted limit. Siyabonga Ndzinisa, recorded 2.00 mg/l. Despite pleading guilty and asking for leniency, he was fined E5 000 or one year imprisonment.
Fraque Magarimbo, recorded 0.63 mg/l. Magarimbo told the court he was unaware of the nation’s rules or drinking limit and was rushing to attend to his wife since they were having problems, and she found her sick and had to take her to hospital. During mitigation he pleaded for leniency. He was sentenced to pay a fine E3 000 or one year imprisonment.
Banele Magagula recorded 0.55 mg/l. He stated that he had been enjoying drinks with his friends when her mother suddenly fell ill and had to rush to the pharmacy to get her medication. Magagula pleaded for leniency and expressed his remorse. He was sentenced to a E3 000 fine or one year imprisonment.
Sanele Maseko, blew 1.63 mg/l when a breathalyser test was conducted on him. During mitigation, he told the court he regretted putting both his life and those of other road users at risk, promising not to repeat the offence. He was sentenced to pay a fine of E5000 or two years imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Thulane Khumalo, recorded 2.00 mg/l when a breathalyser test was conducted on him. Khumalo was sentenced to pay a fine of E5 000 or one year imprisonment.
Sibusiso Mkhonta, who recorded 2.00mg/l, claimed he had last consumed alcohol in 2023 unfortunately the day he was arrested for drink and driving he was invited for dinner and he was tempted to drink. He was sentenced to pay a fine of E5 000 or one year imprisonment.
Mangaliso Mlangeni recorded 0.79 mg/l when a breathalyser test was conducted on him. During mitigation, he pleaded for leniency and expressed concern that a conviction might affect his pending Zimbabwean citizenship application and that submission of papers are due next week. Mlangeni was sentenced to pay a fine of E4 000 or one year imprisonment.
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