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SHOCK AS TRUCK DRIVER SIPS BEER AFTER NASTY COLLISION

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image Paramedics, motorists, police officers and KaShali residents watching firefighters trying to rescue the driver of the sedan who was trapped inside the vehicle for about two hours.

MANZINI – Instead of calling for help, a suspected drunk truck driver, whose vehicle was involved in an accident with a sedan, is alleged to have taken three sips of his beer before being restrained by eyewitnesses.


Mhlelisi Mabuza’s truck, which trades as M&S Freight, collided with a white Toyota Corolla along the Yith’Abantu Highway near KaShali at about 1pm.


The accident occurred at a gentle curve, which is approximately 200 metres away from a T-junction leading to Ngwane Park.
An eyewitness, Bongani Dlamini, said they were taken aback when the truck driver, moments after alighting from his vehicle, took a sip of his beverage. “He took about three sips before we approached him him. He then threw the bottle under the truck,” Dlamini said.


When this reporter arrived at the scene, indeed, he found a bottle near the truck’s front wheel. There were also sealed cans of Castle Milk Stout on the ground next to the truck.


Suspecting that Mabuza’s state of sobriety was questionable, police led him to their van where tests were conducted.
His breath specimen reading was 1.03mg/l, which is almost three times the legal limit of 0.38mg/l.
While at the back of the van, Mabuza was overheard telling his friends or relatives over the phone that he had been involved in an accident, and might have killed someone in the process.


Some of the eyewitnesses alleged that Mabuza was the cause of the accident, which resulted in the male driver of the sedan to be trapped in his vehicle for almost two hours.


Officers from the Swaziland Fire and Emergency Service had a tough time trying to free the man from the wreckage.
While they were trying to force-open the damaged car, paramedics administered first aid to the driver.
Mabuza’s colleague, Sibusiso Gadlela, in an interview, admitted that his colleague’s state of sobriety was questionable.
“I noticed that his state of sobriety was questionable when he arrived at the company’s premises. He was also carrying some liquor,” alleged a seemingly traumatised Gadlela.
Relating events leading to the accident, Gadlela said his colleague was driving at a high speed.
He said Mabuza was avoiding hitting a car they were following when he decided to swerve onto to the opposite lane.
That is when the truck collided with the oncoming sedan head on.
Manzini Station Commander Superintendent Mandla Mdluli confirmed that, while conducting their investigations, they discovered that the truck driver was not sober.
Mdluli cautioned motorists to refrain from taking the wheel after imbibing alcoholic beverages. “We do not encourage truck owners to allow their drivers to drive when drunk,” he said.
Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Khulani Mamba said the driver of the sedan was in a critical condition. “Currently, we are still searching for his relatives. But it is suspected that he is an employee at His Majesty’s Correctional Services because a uniform was found inside his vehicle,” Mamba said.
He further said the truck driver had been charged with negligent and reckless driving and also drink-driving.

Comments (4 posted):

manqoba simelane on 24/11/2014 11:29:15
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why do drivers have to drink when they are on the public road, even on duty to make matters wose?
Sicelo Tsabedze on 24/11/2014 13:03:44
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Belome kakhulu lelijaha
Sandile Ndlangamandla on 24/11/2014 16:58:24
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Its Obvious that this was done deliberately''''Justice should take its course ASAP''''
ma ely on 24/11/2014 20:18:11
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ewu khepha sekusondzela boncibilijane koma sekuto wandza emphinjeni wemaSwati

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