GARDENER WRECKS BOSS’ E250 000 MERC

MBABANE – A gardener’s joyride in his employer’s E250 000 Mercedes Benz ended terribly when the vehicle overturned.

Welcome Magongo of Mahlanya is alleged to have stolen the vehicle, registered SD JOEY GP, on Sunday in Ezulwini while his employer, Josephine Elizabeth Botes was away. It was not the first time that Magongo drove around in his boss’ vehicle when she was not around, especially to Mahlanya where he resides. Magongo allegedly drove at excessive speed and lost control of the vehicle. It overturned near the American Embassy along D54 Public Road. He suffered minor injuries to his hands.

Magongo called the police afterwards to report the vehicle as stolen. He was arrested and charged with four counts of contravening the Theft of Motor Vehicle Act and the Road Transport Act No.6 of 2007.

Magongo appeared before Principal Magistrate Nondumiso Simelane yesterday dressed in a short sleeve khakhi shirt and khakhi Bermuda trousers. He was bare-footed.

Magongo indicated that he will conduct his own defence.
Prosecutor Buddy Masango moved an application that the gardener be remanded in custody until Tuesday. Magongo, in turn, moved an application for bail.

The principal magistrate admitted him to E125 000 bail. The bail was fixed according to the provisions of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 67/1938.
In count one he is charged with theft in that he wrongfully and unlawfully stole a motor vehicle belonging to Botes.
In count two he was said to have driven the motor vehicle negligently on a public road and exceeded the speed limit. Particulars of the negligence were that he failed to avoid an accident that an ordinary person would have avoided and he disregarded the nature of the road.
In count three he was charged with failure to produce a valid driver’s licence. In the last count he was charged with driving the vehicle without the owner’s consent.
“The accused person did wrongfully and unlawfully steal a motor vehicle SD JOEY GP valued at E250 000, the property in lawful possession of Josephine Elizabeth Botes,” read the charge sheet.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: