OPUWO - A well-known barber here, Paulus Silas (33) was convicted on Monday for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Silas, a first-time offender, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of N$2 000, which he paid immediately.

Reading out the judgment, Opuwo Magistrate Leena Iiyambo said the case was very serious since drunk drivers can be a danger to themselves and other road users.

The alcohol level found in the accused was 0.91mg, almost three times above the allowable content of 0,37 milligrammes (mg) per 1 000 millilitres of breath.

“You testified that you are a diabetic patient, who is not even supposed to use alcohol at all to ensure that you are in good health,” noted Iiyambo.

Silas’ sentence, which was originally three years’ imprisonment or a fine of N$3 000 of which one year was suspended or N$1 000, has been suspended for a period of 10 months on condition that he is not found guilty of the same offence again.
Silas’ driver’s licence was also confiscated by the court for a period of three months.

During the court proceedings, Prosecutor Obert Masendeke said cases of driving under the influence of alcohol are all too prevalent at Opuwo, and the magistrate should send out a massage that will prevent others from driving under the influence of alcohol.

Masendeke said the region and the country experience many accidents on public roads and drivers under the influence of alcohol have a significant contribution to these road accidents that result in the loss of lives.
He argued that the charge against Silas is serious and if found guilty, he should be fined N$20 000 or five years’ imprisonment or both.

The prosecutor further told the court that five cases of driving under the influence of alcohol were on the court roll for that day and two more the following day - all committed on Independence Day this year - which proves the prevalence of such cases at the town.
 - Nampa