2013-12-16Staff Report 2 WINDHOEK – Junias Uuzombala (42) was fined N$2 000 in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court last week for driving under the influence of the popular home-brew tombo. His alcohol level was found to be 0.08. He claimed that he drank tombo, a traditional alcohol drink. Uuzombala was arrested on May 5 this year and faced two counts: driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor and driving with an excessive blood alcohol level. The court acquitted him on the first count, and found him guilty on the second count. On May 5 this year he drove a vehicle while the concentration of alcohol in his blood was 0,25 gram per 100 milliliters. Uuzombala was driving from Shandumbala to Soweto in Katutura when a taxi veered in front of him and he rammed into it from behind, resulting in his arrest. He was sentenced to a fine of N$2000. Uuzombala was free on bail of N$2000 and he paid the fine with his bail money and walked free on Wednesday. But his driving licence was suspended for three months. He pleaded that his driving licence not be suspended, saying that he works at Eros Airport and needs his driving licence for work. Magistrate Alpha Haihambo replied that the licence had to be suspended for first time offenders. Uuzombala informed the court that he has four children, the oldest 12 years old and youngest six years old. He further informed the court that he knew it was wrong to drive under the influence of alcohol, “but I was not drunk, even the officers who came to the scene said I can drive to the police station,” he further informed court. Nasilele Siyambango prosecuted while Uuzombala conducted his own defence. Tombo is a brew of sugar, yeast and water and is usually sold by the cupful. By Tunomukwathi Asino 2013-12-16Staff Report 2
