Inkosi (Chief) Simphiwe Cele of Izingolweni was found to be driving with an alcohol blood level five times the legal limit in April last year and was recently sentenced in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court.

Cele was over the legal alcohol limit as his breath alcohol content level was found to be 0.26g of alcohol per 100ml of blood – on April 29, 2022.

Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1998 determines that the legal alcohol limit in South Africa for driving must be less than 0.05 g of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

He was arrested after an accident occurred involving three motor vehicles and a pedestrian.

The court sentenced Cele to pay a fine of R25 000, half suspended for a period of five years. The automatic suspension of Cele’s driver’s licence was not imposed.

This is after he pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol and not guilty to reckless and negligent driving.

He was acquitted by acting magistrate Ridwaan Moola on the second count of reckless driving.

State prosecutor Chad Davey argued for correctional supervision, in addition to an appropriate fine and corresponding imprisonment and a six-month suspension of his driver’s licence.

The defence attorney, Bhekamanqolo Dzanibe of Mtshaka Attorneys, asked the court for a wholly suspended sentence.