“I drank Joko tea.”
This was the explanation given by Siphosethu Vilakati when he appeared at the Mbabane Magistrate’s Court for drink-driving.
Vilakati, a Zion church member, told the court that he only drank tea and was surprised when he was arrested for the offence. He was said to have an alcohol concentration of 0.57mg/l.
He pleaded guilty and during mitigation, told the court that he was returning from a church service held at Ngwenya when he was arrested.
In response to his explanation, Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati warned motorists to be careful of Joko tea.
“Be careful of that Joko. Don’t drink and drive,” the magistrate responded.
The magistrate also quoted Proverbs 20:1, explaining that alcohol could make a person nonchalant, loud and prone to making noise while affecting their judgement. He stressed the importance of motorists being cautious about consuming alcohol before driving.
He then sentenced the accused to eight months’ imprisonment or E800 fine option.
In another matter, Sabelo Fakudze recorded an alcohol concentration of 1.45mg/l while driving with three passengers.
Fakudze pleaded guilty to both charges and asked the court for leniency during mitigation.
The court heard that the three passengers had asked Fakudze to drive them to Nhlangano.
While at Malagwane, he failed to control the vehicle and crashed into a donga.
Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati reprimanded Fakudze for putting the lives of the three passengers in danger.
He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment or E800 fine option on both counts and his driver’s license was suspended for three months.
The magistrate said he wished the law could be amended to send a stronger message about the seriousness of drink-driving incidents.
In another matter, Velaphi Gamedze, who recorded an alcohol concentration of 0.60mg/l, pleaded guilty and told the court during mitigation that he had been drinking because he was happy that his brother was returning from South Africa.
He pleaded for a lenient sentence and was fined E800 or eight months’ imprisonment.
Gcebile Dlamini also pleaded guilty after recording an alcohol concentration of 0.68mg/l.
During mitigation, Dlamini told the court that she thought she had consumed a small amount of alcohol.
She added that she had been on her way to pick up her children when she was arrested.
Dlamini also pleaded for leniency and was fined E800 or eight months’ imprisonment.
