COP AMONG ARRESTED FOR ‘DD’

NHLANGANO – A Lobamba-based police officer was cautioned and discharged after being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Mavela Shongwe (41) of Madulini appeared before Acting Magistrate Sifiso Ngwenya yesterday and was charged with contravening Section 91(1) as read with Section 122(1) together with Section (2) of the Road Traffic Act 6 of 2007. According to the Crown, on January 18, 2025, along Mathendele Street, the offender was found occupying the driver’s seat of a Toyota Sedan registered RSD 938 DM while under the influence of alcohol. The Crown submitted that the alcohol level in his breath specimen was 0.79 mg/l.
The offender pleaded guilty and informed the court that he was sleeping in the parked car, occupying the driver’s seat, when he was awakened by a knock on the window and saw lights. He further told the court that the arresting police officer requested a breath sample and subsequently informed him that he was under arrest.

The offender also stated that he was with others who had been drinking. However, Magistrate Ngwenya informed the offender that there is a specific section in the law that prohibits occupying the driver’s seat while under the influence of alcohol. He further warned him that he should occupy the passenger seat in such situations. In mitigation, the offender pleaded for a lenient sentence and informed the court that he has four children, all of whom attend school. He further informed the court that he was employed as a police officer in Lobamba. He also told the court that he was returning from assisting with the weeding of royal fields at the Mbangweni Royal Residence. The Acting Magistrate warned the offender to avoid such situations, especially while carrying out royal duties. The offender was subsequently cautioned and discharged.

Meanwhile, Machawe Langa (38) of Makhosini told the court that he had fallen asleep while drunk and believed he was sober when he woke up. His brother then called him to collect him, leading to his arrest for drink-driving. The offender appeared before Senior Magistrate Joseph Dlamini yesterday and was charged with contravening Section 91(1) as read with Section 122(1) together with Section (2) of the Road Traffic Act 6 of 2007. The prosecutor representing the Crown, Sibusiso Gamedze, submitted to the court that on January 18, 2025, along Mathendele Street, the offender drove a Nissan LVD registered QSD 885 DM while under the influence of alcohol. His breath specimen was found to be 0.50 mg/l.

In mitigation, the offender pleaded for a lenient sentence and stated that he had not intended to drink and drive. He also told the court that he had consumed alcohol the previous day and believed the alcohol had left his system when he woke up, however, this was not the case. He further informed the court that he was unemployed and the sole breadwinner in his household. He was sentenced to six months in prison with the option to pay a fine of E1 200. Meanwhile, Mfundo Menzi Mhlanga (43) of Mbangweni was arrested and charged with contravening Section 91(1) as read with Section 122(1) together with Section (2) of the Road Traffic Act 6 of 2007. According to the prosecutor, on January 18, 2025, along the Nhlangano/Mahamba (MR9) public road, the offender drove a Mayor LDV registered BSD 648 AS while under the influence of alcohol. His breath specimen was 0.78 mg/l.
 In mitigation, the offender pleaded for a lenient sentence and stated that he had woken up to take his brother-in-law to the hospital and encountered the police on the road.

He submitted to the court that he had not intended to drink and drive and informed the court that he has seven children, three of whom are due to attend high school. He further informed the court that he is unemployed. In mitigation, the offender pleaded for leniency and maintained that he had no intention of drink-driving. However, the Senior Magistrate noted the high level of alcohol in his breath specimen, remarking that it was unfortunate that he was unemployed while exhibiting such high alcohol content. Considering this, the Magistrate imposed a substantial fine. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison with the option to pay a fine of E2 000.

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