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PIGG’S PEAK – Three elderly women have been arrested and charged for causing road accidents by letting their cattle stray into public roads.

Thandiwe Maziya (72) and Eldah Dlamini (56), both from Mbasheni under Chief Mvelase, as well as Nomvula Magagula (60) of Nyakatfo under Chief Jubiphathi, all appeared before Pigg’s Peak Magistrate Sibonelo Dlamini yesterday.

Contravening

The trio was charged for contravening Section 77(1) as read with Section 122(1) and (4) of the Road Traffic Act 6 of 2007.

According to their charge sheets, Maziya and Dlamini were charged for contravening the Act in that on or about October 21, 2022, at about 9:30pm and at or near Mbasheni along MR6 Ngonini/Vusweni Public Road, in the Hhohho District, the accused persons being in charge of a herd of cattle did wrongfully and unlawfully allow a cow to be astray with ear-tag number 20-03543 on the said public road and consequently caused an accident wherein it was knocked by a motor vehicle T/LTD registered FSD 975 AL driven by Nkosinathi Ginindza, a 23-year-old of Vusweni, damaging the motor vehicle on the windscreen, bonnet, both front headlamps, left fender and front bumper.

Charge

Magagula’s first charge was that on or about September 16, 2022 at about 10:45pm and at or near Nyakatfo along MR6 Madlangempisi/Buhleni Public Road, in the

Hhohho District, the said person being in charge of a herd of cattle did wrongfully and unlawfully allow a cow to be astray on the said public road and consequently caused an accident wherein it was knocked by a motor vehicle Mazda sedan registered LSD 408 AM driven by a 51-year-old man of Mkhuzweni, damaging the motor vehicle on the windscreen, bonnet, both front headlamps, left fender and front bumper and thus contravening the said Act.

Contempt

She was further charged for contempt of court in that upon or about October 3, 2022 at about 9am and or at near Pigg’s Peak Magistrate Court, in the Hhohho District, the accused person, while duly ordered by the Crown to appear before the court for contravening the road traffic offence did wrongfully, unlawfully and intentionally failed to appear before the said court and violated the dignity, repute and authority of the said court and did thereby commit the said offence.

The elderly women asked for leniency from the magistrate as they were first offenders, all unemployed and had several dependents.

Imposed

Magistrate Dlamini after considering mitigation factors imposed a fine of E2 000 or 10 months imprisonment for each but the sentences were wholly suspended for a period of two years if they did not commit similar offences.

However, for contempt of court, Magagula was ordered to pay a fine of E500 or spend three months in prison.