THE legal hammer fell hard on a Richards Bay man convicted of driving under the influence when the Richards Bay District Court Magistrate ordered the suspension of his drivers’ license for five months.
Presiding Magistrate La Grange made it clear that driving under the influence will result in license suspension, regardless of whether an accused is dependent on transport to earn his bread and butter.
Ashley van Rensburg (33) was charged with driving under the influence and refusal to give a blood specimen or undergo a breathalyser test.
The second charge was however withdrawn by the State.
He was further sentenced to a R4 000 fine or two years imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm for five years.
In an unrelated matter, Viyane John Sibiya (42), who allegedly ploughed into two traffic officers with a vehicle laden with passengers, also appeared in court on Friday for reckless and negligent driving.
City traffic officer Msawenkosi Mnguni (53) was one of two traffic officials knocked down in the incident on 3 July.
Mnguni was rushed to Netcare The Bay Hospital and later admitted to ICU with a number of broken bones and a fractured arm.
It is alleged that Sibiya was driving at high speed when the officers attempted to waive him down.
A passenger also reported that Sibiya’s windscreen was misted up and his visibility impaired.
He was reportedly warned about the risk and asked to slow down, but continued despite the warnings.
He was also reportedly not in possession of an official driver’s license at the time.
The case was remanded until 2 October for trial.
In a third matter on the Friday roll, Mzwandile Mchunu (45) of Mandlazini was charged with reckless and negligent driving, driving under the influence and refusal to give a blood specimen at Ngwelezane Hospital.
The state is alleging that he collided with two vehicles in July.
The case was remanded until 13 October for further investigation.
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