Eastern Cape finance, economic affairs, environment and tourism MEC Enoch Godongwana’s was fined R8 000, or 200 days, in jail on Tuesday for driving under the influence of alcohol.
The East London Magistrate’s Court also gave him a suspended sentence of three years on condition that he was not convicted of the same offence during this period.
Half of the R8 000 fine was suspended.
Godongwana pleaded guilty to the charges, before he was convicted by magistrate Barry Nel.
The 44-year-old MEC was arrested by a member of the dog unit in February driving under the influence of alcohol.
He was taken to Cambridge police station where he refused to undergo a breathalyser test.
A blood sample was later drawn at Beacon Bay police station by a doctor and the MEC was detained at Cambridge police station and later released on R500 bail.
The test showed that Godongwana had 0,15mg per 100ml of alcohol in his blood, which exceeded the legal limit of 0,05mg.
In mitigation of sentence, Godongwana’s attorney Dumisani Tabata said the incident occurred as a result of the MEC’s niece asking him for a lift.
Tabata proposed a R4 000 fine since the MEC was a first offender and no life was lost or property damaged.
He also said that his client was severely embarrassed by the high level of publicity surrounding the case.
Prosecutor Fuzile Balintulo said Godongwana was privileged to have a chauffeur not only for driving activities, but for his security.
”He is a public figure and role model. Many people look up to him,” said Balintulo.
Balintulo further said that Godongwana should have been more prudent.
Imposing sentence, Nel said East London drivers seemed to believe that they were beyond the law.
”You as an icon and leader, one would expect you to know more.
”(Whether you are) a public figure or not, this court has had enough of people who take chances,” said Nel.
Godongwana told reporters that it was ”an error of judgement on my part, which I indeed regret. I am terribly sorry”. ? Sapa