MANZINI – Principal Magistrate David Khumalo has issued a stern warning to motorists, urging them to avoid drink-driving this festive season, otherwise they could face a bleak Christmas as the court would show no mercy.
According to Magistrate Khumalo, police officers have done enough to sensitise the nation about drink-driving. He mentioned that the media was also playing its part by displaying offenders’ pictures in local newspapers on Tuesdays.
However, he expressed concern that despite these efforts, more people continue to be arrested for drink-driving. He urged the media and law enforcement agencies not to give up, but to continue educating the public about the dangers of drink-driving.
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He emphasized that drink-driving is dangerous and, if not addressed, could result in fatalities on the country’s roads.
Magistrate Khumalo noted that the maximum fine for drink-driving is E5 000, depending on the alcohol level found in the offender’s breath specimen. If the alcohol content is relatively low, the fine may be reduced, but it cannot be less than E3 000.
“What is even more disturbing is that we are going for Christmas and yet people are losing a lot of money due to drink-driving. I wonder what they are going to put on the table for their children on Christmas,” he said.
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He added that E5 000 is a significant sum, enough to buy groceries for both Christmas and New Year celebrations. He questioned why motorists would risk such an amount through reckless driving, reminding them that continued drink-driving could leave them with no money to spend on Christmas Day.
Magistrate Khumalo stressed that offenders appearing in court for drink-driving, despite the festive season, would not be easily sympathized with, as they had been forewarned.
“I for one, will not easily sympathise with those who are arrested for drink-driving, no matter how much they can mitigate for a lenient sentence,” he said.
The Magistrate made these remarks while dealing with the case of Lizwe Glory Lukhele (42) of Mahlabatsini area, who was arrested for drink-driving at Sigodvweni along the MR31 public road on December 14.
Lukhele pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison, with an option of a E5 000 fine, despite requesting leniency on the grounds that she was an unemployed single mother who committed the offence by mistake. Her breath specimen showed an alcohol content of 2.00 milligrammes per litre (mg/l).
