Sixteen motorists in court on drunk driving charges

OTJIWARONGO, 01 OCT  – Sixteen motorists on Monday appeared in the Otjiwarongo Magistrate’s Court after they were arrested on charges of drinking and driving along the B1 road over the weekend.
The 15 men and one woman were arrested on Friday, Saturday and Sunday after they were found by members of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol)’s traffic department here to have been operating vehicles while under the influence of alcohol.
Their blood alcohol levels registered between 0.38 and 1.32 milligrams (mg), higher than the allowed 0.37 per thousand blood alcohol level by Namibian laws.
The accused; Patrick Hironga, 40; Ian du Preez, 32; Andreas Shambo, 35; Frans Nanuseb, 51; Rinco Haoseb, 38; Silas Andreas, 23; Shaquille Muhinda, 22, and Oscar Alfred Flechsig, 35, all pleaded guilty in court.
The other guilty drivers are Johannes Mudumbi, 46; Sydney Haodoms, 22; Ivan Toromba, 36; Masiye Muchila, 35; Bendt Edelbetus, 31; Mario Schrader, 27, and Andrew Shiinda, 31.
Demetrius Amakali, 39, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him, and his case was then postponed to 05 November 2018 for trial.
Amakali is out on bail of N.dollars 4 000.
The 15 guilty motorists were sentenced to fines ranging between N.dollars 2 000 and N.dollars 6 000 based on their blood alcohol levels at the time of arrest.
Otjiwarongo Magistrate Eduard Kesslau, who presided over their cases, also suspended their driving licences for a period of three months.
Their licences will be kept at the Otjiwarongo Magistrate’s Court.
Kesslau warned them not to operate vehicles while their licences are suspended.
Public prosecutor, Anna Amukugo proposed severe punishment for the guilty motorists, saying this is aimed at deterring, in future, any drinking and driving behaviour on public roads where a large number of lives have already been lost.
NamPol spokesperson in the Otjozondjupa Region, Warrant Officer Maureen Mbeha expressed dismay to still see motorists operate their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol, saying it risks the lives of other road users.
Last week, 11 motorists were also arrested on the B1 road and appeared in the Otjiwarongo Magistrate’s Court on charges of drinking and driving.
(NAMPA)