Tractor driver gets 25 months for drink-driving

MBABANE – A 31-year-old man was arrested on Monday morning after being found driving a tractor under the influence of liquor.

Sizwe Mngometulu had been drinking traditional brew on Sunday night and in the morning he needed to drive the tractor to a filling station at Sidvwashini.

Having gone to sleep at 4am and awoken at 6am, Mngometulu had a cup of the brew before embarking on the trip.

At Dalriach West, he was stopped by traffic officers from the Mbabane Police Station and it turned out he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

When the police officers checked the tractor they found that it was not road-worthy and was not registered.

Mngometulu was charged with three counts and yesterday he appeared at the Mbabane Magistrates Court before Magistrate Siphosini Dlamini, who found him guilty after he pleaded guilty to all three charges.

When asked why he was driving the tractor drunk, he said he had slept late and the fact that he drank a cup full of traditional brew before embarking on the trip contributed immensely.

"Your worship, I slept late as I was drinking traditional brew. I drank about four litres alone and in the morning also drank a cupful.

"While I was on the way I was caught by the police," he said.

During mitigation, Mngometulu told the court that he was a first offender and that he had children and three girlfriends.

He said he was going to marry one of the girlfriends in March next year and, when asked what was so special about March next year, he said it was because he is still gathering the money.

Before he was sentenced, Mngometulu told Magistrate Dlamini that he will never drink and drive again. He was sentenced to 25 months imprisonment or the option of a E2 500 fine.

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