Medication raised alcohol level: Mhlongo
8 December 2009, 13:32
Kwazulu-Natal's provincial secretary of Cope, Phillip Mhlongo, has blamed his asthma medication for pushing his alcohol blood level above the legal limit.
Mhlongo was involved in a car accident on Saturday in eZimbokodweni near Isipingo on his way home from an election campaign in Port Edward.
He was arrested for drunk driving and appeared on Monday in the Amanzimtoti Magistrate's Court
"Before I could leave Port Edward it is an undisputed fact I drank two dumpies of beer with my other comrades. I also took my medication for asthma which contains some alcohol content," Mhlongo said in a statement.
"After the crash had taken place, it is true that I was taken to the nearest RTI (Road Traffic Inspectorate) base for a breathalyser test which read 0.5.
"The normal range permissible by law is 0.35 alcohol content. The difference here is a margin of 0.15. Law enforcement agencies did agree that indeed there is an excess of the margin.
"My explanation of details about my medication for asthma was also recorded," Mhlongo said.
Mhlongo accused a weekend newspaper of publishing a defamatory report about him.
Mhlongo added that he subscribed fully to respecting and upholding the rule of law.
Facts
"I submit that only the court shall have to weigh the facts and pass judgment on me without being tried and found guilty in the media as it has happened.
"Any decision that shall have to be made by our courts on this matter shall be respected and upheld by the rank and file without any interference to our judiciary and our law enforcement officers," Mhlongo said.
According to the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, Mhlongo was arrested and detained at the Amanzimtoti police station before being released on R500 bail.
The case was postponed until January 21 for further investigation .
Mchunu said he fully supported the arrest and issued a stern warning to drivers that police would be out in full force during the festive season to deal severely with "hard- headed" individuals who did not adhere to the rule of law.
"The arrest of Mr Mhlongo serves as an example that all political leaders found breaking the law will certainly be apprehended. The law will not be compromised at any given cost to accommodate certain individuals. If you are caught breaking the law you will face the music," Mchunu said.
The Pietermaritzburg RTI processed 175 cases of drunk driving in November at the recently launched Alcohol Evidential Centre, and another 55 people were caught for drunk driving in the first week of December.
Mhlongo was involved in a car accident on Saturday in eZimbokodweni near Isipingo on his way home from an election campaign in Port Edward.
He was arrested for drunk driving and appeared on Monday in the Amanzimtoti Magistrate's Court
"Before I could leave Port Edward it is an undisputed fact I drank two dumpies of beer with my other comrades. I also took my medication for asthma which contains some alcohol content," Mhlongo said in a statement.
"After the crash had taken place, it is true that I was taken to the nearest RTI (Road Traffic Inspectorate) base for a breathalyser test which read 0.5.
"The normal range permissible by law is 0.35 alcohol content. The difference here is a margin of 0.15. Law enforcement agencies did agree that indeed there is an excess of the margin.
"My explanation of details about my medication for asthma was also recorded," Mhlongo said.
Mhlongo accused a weekend newspaper of publishing a defamatory report about him.
Mhlongo added that he subscribed fully to respecting and upholding the rule of law.
Facts
"I submit that only the court shall have to weigh the facts and pass judgment on me without being tried and found guilty in the media as it has happened.
"Any decision that shall have to be made by our courts on this matter shall be respected and upheld by the rank and file without any interference to our judiciary and our law enforcement officers," Mhlongo said.
According to the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, Mhlongo was arrested and detained at the Amanzimtoti police station before being released on R500 bail.
The case was postponed until January 21 for further investigation .
Mchunu said he fully supported the arrest and issued a stern warning to drivers that police would be out in full force during the festive season to deal severely with "hard- headed" individuals who did not adhere to the rule of law.
"The arrest of Mr Mhlongo serves as an example that all political leaders found breaking the law will certainly be apprehended. The law will not be compromised at any given cost to accommodate certain individuals. If you are caught breaking the law you will face the music," Mchunu said.
The Pietermaritzburg RTI processed 175 cases of drunk driving in November at the recently launched Alcohol Evidential Centre, and another 55 people were caught for drunk driving in the first week of December.
- This article was originally published on page 3 of The Daily News on December 08, 2009
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