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‘DD’ TOURISTS SHOULD BE EXEMPTED?

01/06/2017 08:21:00 The Editor

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It constantly amazes me that on a regular basis someone in a position of power and influence jumps to support a ‘leniency policy’ with regard to drink-driving.

It absolutely amazes me that anyone would question the arrest of anybody taking chances with their sobriety while behind the wheel of a vehicle? We are already seeing leniency from the courts where no one has had their licence revoked and as far as I am aware no one has opted to spend time behind bars because the fine option has always been very manageable.
This particular influential somebody is hoping to look at strategic ways to avoid the country being tainted with an angle for softness on drink-driving offenders?

There is only one way to deal with drink-driving, whether it be locals or visitors and that is to prosecute one and prosecute all. Come Swazis, come tourists, come rich people, come five-bar cars, come one come all - all must face the music! As far as I am aware all our neighbouring SADC members deal with drink-driving as a serious criminal offence. No country from the First World is lenient on drink-drivers so, considering Vision 2022, what sense is there in it for Swaziland? Do we want the kingdom to have a reputation for drink-driving leniency and particularly with tourists; is that what Swaziland needs on its CV?
Personally, I feel that drink-drivers should all be dealt with in the same way and should feel the full force of the law, there really is no excuse for it and if caught all should be punished accordingly.

How on earth does this latest supporter for leniency expect the police to deal with drink-driving tourists? Ask them nicely to refrain from drink-driving in future and allow them to continue on their merry ways?
Perhaps they should not have roadblocks where there are large crowds consuming alcohol as this leniency activist mentioned. Is it not a sign of disrespect that so many tourists imagined they’d be getting away with drink-driving, did they already think the police were a soft touch? This is not the way we will build respect for the police or the nation as a whole, or is it?
Are Swazis or any other tourists treated leniently if they break drink-driving or any other laws when visiting other SADC countries or even the US or Europe?

It may not be morally correct but I am sure you will find the other SADC police forces are often harsher with visitors than they are with locals because visitors should be most respectful of the laws of the country they have been accepted in as guests.
Around the globe there is a general disapproval, a stigma even regarding drink-drivers. If those in positions of influence see pushing leniency as a positive there will never be that same fear and respect for drink-driving laws they have elsewhere among SADC countries or in the First World where Swaziland hopes to find itself sooner rather than later.