Death ‘after tears’

Moyahabo Mabeba

LIMPOPO – THE majority of people caught for drunk driving in and around Seshego over weekends were returning home after attending funerals where they had too much to drink at the increasingly popular “after tears” ceremonies that followed these funerals.

This is according to Seshego police spokesperson, WO Mothemane Malefo, who confirmed they were inundated with cases of driving under the influence of alcohol, especially on Saturday evenings.

This came after the Seshego police stepped up roadblock operations at strategic points in and around the area over the past few weeks.

Drunk driving, which is one of the major contributors to fatalities on South Africa’s roads, is one of the police’s key concerns during roadblock crime-prevention operations. The roadblocks are often joint operations between the police and municipal and provincial traffic departments.

Malefo said the Seshego police were currently maintaining an extremely visible presence on the roads, especially over weekends.

He said the remainder of the drunk driving suspects who were apprehended, were usually returning from various social gatherings.

“We appeal to people who plan to do heavy drinking and need to travel to and from the funeral or other venues, to ensure that there is a designated driver, who does not imbibe alcohol, available to ensure that they get home safely after their festivities.”

Malefo added that most people get carried away when they are enjoying their drinks and forget that drunk driving is a criminal offence.

Being arrested for drunk driving over a weekend means that the suspects must spend the rest of the weekend behind bars until they can appear before court on a week day.

Such court cases are often lengthy and expensive, and when found guilty, suspects will have to pay fines and can very well be sentenced to spend time behind bars.

Having a criminal record for drunk driving can negatively affect the rest of one’s life and even prevent people from being considered for certain employment positions.

According to a Polokwane-based pathologist who did not wish to be identified, said when it came to deaths in motor-vehicle accidents, the excessive use of alcohol is usually present. This was corroborated by emergency medical technician, Isaiah Masekela.

“In most cases, when we respond to car accidents, we are greeted by bottles of alcohol and the drivers often reek of alcohol,” he states.

Sledge Mamadi, a Seshego resident, said he considered himself “very lucky” for having avoided prosecution each of the four times he was caught driving under the influence of alcohol.

“On two occasions I bribed the police officials who wanted to perform breathalyser tests. Most people pay bribes when they are caught in such situations; it seems to be the norm and from what I’ve seen and heard, the police officials never reject any bribes offered.

“As long as I am still able to drive properly when I have been drinking alcohol, I consider myself safe.

“I know it’s wrong but what can I do? It is common practise all over the country to do so and pay bribes when caught.

“There is a lot of corruption present, practised by suspects as well as police and traffic officials,” Mamadi pointed out.

Malefo said offering, paying and/or accepting bribes were illegal and anyone caught doing so would face criminal charges.