Drunk driver’s licence revoked for one year

A man’s driving licence was revoked for a period of one year, following his conviction last week in the Walvis Bay magistrates court on a charge of drunken driving. He was also slapped with a N$8000 fine, alternatively a period of one year imprisonment.
Johannes Shitaleni, the man referred to above is one of 24 drunken drivers arrested during law enforcement operations on 8 to 10 December. Adding, another 20 drunken drivers were arrested over the weekend, the total number of people arrested for drunken driving in Walvis Bay since 8 December now stands at 44.
“It is simply incomprehensible that people still think it is safe and responsible to get behind a vehicle’s steering wheel whilst under the influence of alcohol. Not only risks this person his own safety but also the safety and lives of other road users”, said a senior law enforcer over the weekend. Adding many of the drunken drivers tested high levels of blood alcohol which means this was not a matter of having one too many before hitting the road. “The high alcohol levels detected in some drivers are evident of people knowingly consuming large quantities of alcohol and still deeming it fit to get behind the wheel”.
A warning was issued that law enforcement operations will continue in Walvis Bay against drunk drivers. The municipal traffic department, Nampol Traffic, the Namibian Police, police reservists and neighbourhood watch formations are working together on these operations.
Other drivers who made court appearances after their arrests over the weekend of 8 to 10 December are;
∙Christiaan Bredenhann – found guilty. Fined N$8000. Bredenhann who don’t have a driving license is also now prevented to apply for a learner driving license for a period of six months.
∙Luandro Christiaan – found guilty. Fined N$9000 or 24 months imprisonment. His license was suspended for six months.
∙Pala Zyambo – found guilty. Fined N$8000 or 24 months imprisonment. Driving license suspended for three months.
∙Morné Job – found guilty. Fined N$8000 or 24 months imprisonment. Driving license suspended for three months.
∙Clinton Bampton – found guilty. Fined N$8000 or 24 months imprisonment. Driving license suspended for three months.
∙Ernst Kessler – found guilty. Fined N$9000 or 24 months imprisonment. Driving license suspended for four months.
∙Uendjisuvera Kandjou – found guilty. Fined N$7000 or 24 months imprisonment. Driving license suspended for three months.
∙Edward Everson – found guilty. Fined N$7000 or 24 months imprisonment. Driving license suspended for three months.
∙Martin Indongo – found guilty. Fined N$1500 or 2 months imprisonment.
∙Elvin Haingura was found guilty and returns to court on 29 January for sentencing.
Other drivers arrested for suspected drunken driving also made a first appearance before the magistrate after their arrests over the same period. Their cases were remanded to various dates in January or February 2018. They are: Manay Jorgensen; Devan Junius; Johan Geyser; Claude Damens; Alfeus Nghipondoka; Rikus Botha; Peter Shivute; Sydney Beukes and Nicolas Coetzee.
The twenty drivers arrested over the weekend of 15,16 and 17 December made first court appearances yesterday. Some pleaded guilty and were sentenced whilst others saw their cases postponed to dates in early 2018. Their names will be released by the Walvis Bay magistrates court this week for publication in this coming Friday’s edition of namib times.