An Ohangwena teacher has been fined N$5 000 after admitting to driving under the influence of alcohol and without a valid driving licence.
The court says the fine should serve as a warning to the public.
Evalde Shedile (31) was arrested at Ongwediva in September last year after he was found driving while intoxicated and without a driving licence.
Appearing before the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, Shedile pleaded for leniency and expressed remorse for his actions.
“I would like to apologise because what I did that day was not my intention. It was a mistake. I ask the court to forgive me, your worship. I will not repeat it. In fact, I do not drink anymore. Since that day when I was driving under the influence of alcohol, I stopped drinking. I allowed alcohol to control me,” he said.
Public prosecutor Purity Kanyimba argued that a stiff sentence was necessary, saying alcohol-related driving offences contribute significantly to the high number of road accidents in Namibia, endangering other road users and resulting in deaths.
The state requested that Shedile be fined N$5 000 and be prohibited from obtaining a learner’s or driving licence for three months.
Shedile appealed for a reduced fine of N$4 000, citing his circumstances.
However, magistrate Lloyd Munyungano upheld the state’s request, sentencing him to a fine of N$5 000 or six months’ imprisonment.
The court also ordered that he be barred from obtaining a learner’s or driving licence for three months.
In delivering judgement, Munyungano said the sentence was intended not only to punish the offender but also to deter others from committing similar offences.
“You are a first offender, a father to a minor child and a school teacher. As a school teacher, you ought to be a good example to the public. I need to sentence you accordingly so that you do not repeat this offence and to deter like-minded individuals,” the magistrate added.
