Two men driving under the influence of alcohol last year recently received harsh sentences for the offences.
This serves to warn other drivers contemplating getting behind the wheel after one too many drinks that the law will not tolerate defaulters.
On the evening of August 14, 2020 police responded to the scene of an accident on the N2 Main Harding Road where a Toyota minibus and an Opel Corsa had collided.
The 63-year-old driver of the Opel Corsa seemed to be under the influence and was taken to Thutuzela Clinic for blood to be drawn. He was arrested and charged accordingly.
After several court appearances, he was sentenced to a fine of R22 000 or 22 months imprisonment, as well as being barred from getting a driver’s licence indefinitely on August 12.
In a second, unrelated incident on December 6, 2020 at 06:10, an accident occurred on Nelson Mandela Drive where two vehicles collided.
The driver fled the scene but did not get far as the other driver chased after him and apprehended him, handing him over to police.
The 39-year-old accused was subsequently arrested and charged. The accused was convicted for driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance and fined R31 000 or 31 months imprisonment on August 12.
His licence has been suspended for 18 months. Both accused appeared in the Port Shepstone District Court.
The Ugu District Commissioner, Major General Sethenya Nxamagele is extremely pleased with the sentences handed down by the Department of Justice.
“These harsh sentences should serve to deter the public from driving under the influence which puts everyone’s lives at risk”, she said.
The District Commissioner also thanked Warrant Officer Theunis Dinzyl of Port Shepstone Detective Service for an outstanding investigation and well-presented docket.
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