Prisons chief sentenced for drink-driving

A MAN who should know the inside of Namibia’s jails well, Prisons Commissioner Evalistus Shikongo, was arrested and charged as a suspected offender after being caught driving an official Prisons Service vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Shikongo was arrested and charged in Windhoek on June 3, after a breath alcohol test revealed he had been driving an official Prisons Service vehicle, registration number PS 1000, with an excessive alcohol level in his system. He had been travelling along Eveline Street in Windhoek’s Greenwell Matongo area when he was required to do the breathalyser test.According to the charge sheet that sets out the alleged offence, Shikongo’s breath alcohol level was measured at 0,55 milligrams of alcohol per 1 000 millilitres of breath.The maximum legal limit is 0,37 mg of alcohol per 1 000 ml of breath.He was asked to plead at a later trial in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura.Shikongo, who was represented by lawyer Sisa Namandje when he appeared before Magistrate Leah Shaanika, pleaded guilty.In his written plea, he stated that he knew he was committing an offence and could be punished by a court when he drove the vehicle while under the influence.Shikongo prayed for mercy from the court.Magistrate Shaanika sentenced him to a fine of N$2 000 or 12 months’ imprisonment, and also ordered that his driver’s licence be suspended for three months with effect from June 5.Shikongo has paid the fine.He had been travelling along Eveline Street in Windhoek’s Greenwell Matongo area when he was required to do the breathalyser test.According to the charge sheet that sets out the alleged offence, Shikongo’s breath alcohol level was measured at 0,55 milligrams of alcohol per 1 000 millilitres of breath. The maximum legal limit is 0,37 mg of alcohol per 1 000 ml of breath.He was asked to plead at a later trial in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura.Shikongo, who was represented by lawyer Sisa Namandje when he appeared before Magistrate Leah Shaanika, pleaded guilty.In his written plea, he stated that he knew he was committing an offence and could be punished by a court when he drove the vehicle while under the influence.Shikongo prayed for mercy from the court.Magistrate Shaanika sentenced him to a fine of N$2 000 or 12 months’ imprisonment, and also ordered that his driver’s licence be suspended for three months with effect from June 5.Shikongo has paid the fine.