Police reveal drunk driving convictions

“When you drink and drive, expect that you will be arrested and prosecuted.”

August 30, 2016

1 minute read

Benoni SAPS station commander Brig Johan Jacobs stopped a vehicle which turned around at a roadblock on Pretoria Road. The driver said he made a U-turn to avoid traffic.

This is the warning from Col Martin van Nieuwenhuizen, head of Vispol policing at the Benoni Police Station.

The Benoni SAPS has been conducting daily roadblocks in Benoni.

In an interview with the City Times in May about the increased number of roadblocks, the Benoni Police Station’s commander, Brig Johan Jacobs said: “My aim is not to displace crime; to displace crime is very easy, my aim is to arrest perpetrators.”

“… If I do not arrest the person, then he or she might be the suspect and my wife and children might be the victims.”

Since the start of the year, seven people have been convicted of drunk driving.

The following sentences were imposed on individuals:

•R5 000 fine or 12 months imprisonment suspended for five years

•R2 000 fine or four months imprisonment

•R4 000 fine or four months imprisonment

•R6 000 fine or six months imprisonment

•R2 500 fine or four months imprisonment

•R3 000 fine or six months imprisonment suspended for five years

•R10 000 fine or two years imprisonment suspended for five years

“The total of seven convictions and sentences seems low, however, drunk driving cases do get postponed and also temporarily withdrawn in court, due to outstanding blood alcohol reports,” said van Nieuwenhuizen.

“This can take up to six months.”