Twelve strokes for three 'drunk' offences
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday April 29, 2014 11:38
Kebarileng Motshegwa was given the punishment for harassing and fighting Urban Police Station officers at Kofifi bars in Bontleng. The court heard that the police officers were attending to a call at the bars and when they tried to leave, a drunk Motshegwa stood in front of their vehicle, blocking its exit. He is alleged to have insulted the officers who pleaded with him to give way. After a while, he jumped on the back of the police bakkie, hurled more insults, pulled an officer from the vehicle and slapped him across the face. He was finally restrained by the officers after a long struggle.
At first, Motshegwa denied the charges yesterday and blamed his behaviour on alcohol. But afterwards, he changed his plea and said that even though his actions were unlawful, he did not intend to commit a crime as he was drunk and unaware of what he was doing.
In mitigation, he asked the court to be lenient on him as he was taking care of his two children and extended family. He said he is a mechanic and he would lose customers if he is imprisoned.
Monametsi found Motshegwa guilty and gave him a suspended one-year jail sentence and four strokes for each offence. He told the accused that he had no right to disturb or prohibit the police from their duty.