A South African teacher who was arrested for drink-driving after being spotted swerving on a Manzini road told the court that he only wanted to taste local alcohol, but ended up exceeding the legal alcohol limit.
Taole Isaac Tsaone (33) appeared before Principal Magistrate David Khumalo at the Manzini Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to the offence.
Tsaone told the court that he had travelled to the country to attend a friend’s funeral, whom he knew from South Africa.
He said that after the funeral, he decided to sample local alcohol out of curiosity, saying he wanted to experience how the liquor tasted.
He said he did not anticipate that he would exceed the legal alcohol limit.
In mitigation, Tsaone informed the court that he was a teacher in South Africa with a wife and three children who depended on him.
READ MORE | Parents urged to use online platforms for school fees
He added that he urgently needed to return home to resume work and expressed deep remorse for his actions, promising never to repeat them.
Magistrate Khumalo sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of E4 000.
According to the charge sheet, Tsaone was found driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor, with a breathalyser reading of 0.73 milligrammes per litre (mg/l).
Police officers noted that he had a strong smell of alcohol on his breath, was overly talkative, and drove recklessly on the road.
