MBABANE – At least nine people, among them a cancer survivor who was found with a five-times alcohol content limit reading in his system appeared at the Mbabane Magistrate’s Court today for charges of driving under the influence of alcohol.
The individuals appeared before the presiding Magistrate Qondile Mtetwa who warned them that drunk driving remains one of the leading causes of fatal road accidents in the country.
Lindokuhle Vilane, who had a 2.00 mg/l alcohol content in his system, above the 0.38mg/l limit, told the court that he had just received bad news from the hospital after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
He said he decided to drink alcohol to forget his pain. Vilane asked the court for leniency, saying he was a first-time offender and was in an unstable state of mind. He also requested that the traffic police use a “concealed breathalyser” to ensure accurate results.
However, the magistrate questioned what benefit the police would gain from falsifying results, explaining that officers use devices provided by the government and are simply doing their job. Vilane was sentenced to pay a E2 000 fine or spend two years in prison.
Another offender, Fana Bheki Dlamini, was found with 1.56 mg/l alcohol content. He told the court that he was a first-time offender, unemployed, and has children in school whose fees he struggles to pay. He said he cooperated with the police and did not waste the court’s time. Dlamini received the same sentence of E2 000 fine or two years imprisonment.
Mmango Mncedi, who was also found with 2.00 mg/l alcohol in his system, apologised and said it was a mistake. He too was sentenced to pay E2 000 or serve two years in prison.
Colani Fakudze had 1.06 mg/l alcohol content and received the same sentence.
Thando Dlamini, who had 0.74 mg/l, pleaded for leniency, saying he was a first-time offender with two children. He was ordered to pay E2 000 or serve two years in prison.
Simanga Shabangu, who had 0.66 mg/l, told the court he was unemployed and a hustler who cooperated with the police. He was sentenced to pay a fine of E2000 or 2 years imprisonment.
Simphiwe Dlamini, found with 0.95 mg/l, said he was unemployed and pleaded for mercy. He was sentenced to pay E2 000 or serve two years in prison.
Lastly, Siyabonga Gcina Shabangu, who had 1.16 mg/l alcohol in his system, told the court that he was the sole breadwinner at home and a first-time offender. He was ordered to pay a slightly higher fine of E2 300 or serve 26 months in prison.
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