MBABANE – Loud music, a bed, pillows and bottles of alcohol in the middle of a traffic circle landed seven friends in court.
Samkeliso Shabangu, Bandile Gama, Siyabonga Ginindza, Lungelo Dlamini, Delisile Shongwe, Lwazi Kunene and Owethu Lukhozi appeared before Mbabane Magistrate Chazile Thwala charged with contravening Section 80(5) as read with Section 122(2) of the Road Traffic Act 6 of 2007.
Section 80(5) of the Road Traffic Act provides for the conduct of pedestrians on public roads, prohibiting a pedestrian from conducting himself or herself in a manner that is or is likely to constitute a source of danger to themselves or other traffic on the road.
The charge relates to an incident that occurred on August 30, 2026, along Somhlolo public road in Mbabane.
According to the charge, the seven wrongfully and unlawfully conducted themselves in a manner likely to constitute a source of danger to themselves or other traffic on the road.
They were found at a traffic circle with a bed, pillows and bottles of alcohol.
Information gathered by this publication is that the seven friends had been attending a house party at a home near Selection Park in Mbabane.
While at the party, they allegedly decided to take furniture, including a bed, camping chairs and an umbrella, to the traffic circle along Queens Gate Road near Mbabane Alliance Church.
Motorists reportedly hooted at the group after encountering them at the traffic circle.
The incident allegedly attracted the attention of the police, who arrived at the scene and arrested the seven.
When the matter came before court, all seven accused pleaded guilty to the charge.
During mitigation, Shabangu told the court that he and his friends had wanted to shoot a music video.
He apologised for their conduct and acknowledged that they had acted without obtaining the necessary permission.
Gama told the court that they were unaware of the process required to obtain permission. He pleaded for leniency, explaining that he was an unemployed student at Limkokwing University.
Ginindza told the court that they had been attempting to shoot a music video to promote their singing careers.
Dlamini also apologised for his actions and acknowledged that their conduct had placed other road users in danger.
He told the court that they had been waiting for a vehicle to transport furniture for a friend who was relocating when they saw an opportunity to use the bed.
Shongwe apologised for her actions and told the court that she was unaware that their conduct was unlawful until after their arrest. She also pleaded for leniency.
Kunene pleaded guilty and told the court that they did not know it was unlawful to shoot a music video on the road without permission.
Lukhozi also apologised and acknowledged that their conduct had placed their own lives in danger.
Before sentencing the seven, Magistrate Thwala told them that they should conduct research before carrying out such acts.
She questioned how they had concluded that using a bed on a public road was appropriate.
Thwala remarked: ‘Impela bacinisile kutsi ema 2000 atosibulala’ (Indeed, it is true that the 2000s generation will be the death of us).
The magistrate sentenced each of the seven accused to five months’ imprisonment or an option of an E500 fine.
The sentences were suspended on condition that they do not commit a similar offence within 12 months.
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