Ex-Cop Charged For Violating Traffic Laws
Lebogang Mosikare | Monday August 10, 2015 15:09
On the first count the state alleges that Matlhogonolo Marumoagae was drunk driving on January 27, 2008 at Damuchujenaa. The state also alleges that Maruamoagae failed to provide his breath specimen at Serule Police Station. He is also charged with escaping from lawful custody at the station.
Marumoagae denies the charges. Under cross-examination from senior superintendent Omphemetse Mashiqa, Marumoagae said on January 27, 2008, he was travelling alone from Selebi-Phikwe to Palapye around 7:45 pm. He said after passing Damuchujenaa junction he saw cars parked on both sides of the road. He said one of them had its hazards lights on and he reduced his speed.
“As I was about to reach the cars, one of them encroached on my lane and scratched my BMW car on the right side. I then drove some distance before I returned to the accident scene. The two cars I had earlier found had collided. At Serule police I was asked to provide my breath specimen, but the results showed that the alcohol content in my breath was insufficient for the police to lay a charge of drunken driving against me.
Marumoagae also denied that he smelt of alcohol at the accident scene, moved from one point to another and spoke with a slurred speech.
“If at all I spoke with a slurred speech the police could not have heard what I said. Also it is normal for people to shout during accidents if their cars were damaged,” said Marumoagae.He stated that he was not under arrest and did not escape from the police station as the police claim.
“Since I told the police that I was a diabetes patient, I left the room where my breath specimen was taken and went to the community service centre and was given a lift by a Good Samaritan. I then went to the accident scene to collect my car then proceeded to Palapye for an appointment with a doctor,” said Marumoagae, adding that the car keys were in his possession because he was not charged with any offence.
Marumoagae told the court that the police later called him to enquire about his whereabouts and he told them that he visited his doctor as can be attested by the medical card he gave them. “I went to the police station the following day. I will call the doctor as my last witness to come and explain my medical condition,” he said. The magistrate postponed the case to September 4 for continuation of trial.