By 
By Delisa Magagula
In the month of June alone, the Government of Eswatini collected close to E1 million from drunk driving cases processed through the country’s Magistrate Courts.
This figure is based on reports compiled from courts across all four regions of the kingdom. The revenue was generated through E5,000 fines, which were consistently imposed by magistrates on individuals found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol.
According to court officials, this amount reflects standard sentencing for first-time offenders as well as repeat offenders in certain cases.
Court data reviewed from June indicates that the high total was a result of an increased number of arrests, with cases being reported and tried nearly daily in several magistrate courts.
One of the busiest courts was the Mbabane Magistrate Court where multiple drunk driving cases appeared before Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi. During proceedings held in mid-June, Principal Magistrate Nhlabatsi expressed frustration with the recurring nature of these offences.
“These drivers are becoming annoying,” Nhlabatsi said in open court, referring to the rising number of individuals appearing before her for driving under the influence.
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She was addressing a case in which three men stood accused of drunk driving with blood alcohol levels measured at 2.00 mg/L. The accused were also charged with reckless driving after allegedly driving against oncoming traffic.
Magistrate Nhlabatsi warned that the current penalty structure may no longer serve as a deterrent. She stated that many drivers seem undeterred by the existing E5000 fine and called for the figure to be reviewed.
“People are not scared anymore,” she said, urging policymakers to consider raising the penalty to discourage repeat offences and improve road safety.
In the same courtroom, the prosecution presented evidence indicating that the accused had been seen swerving across lanes, failing to obey traffic signs, and creating a public hazard.
The breathalyser tests, conducted by Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) officers, confirmed the presence of alcohol above the legal limit.
Police officers testified that the drivers were stopped at various roadblocks set up as part of ongoing national campaigns against drunk driving.
According to the arresting officers, the accused were cooperative during the arrest but admitted to consuming alcohol shortly before getting behind the wheel.
Data collected from other courts including those in Manzini, Nhlangano, and Siteki reveal similar patterns. In these regions, drunk driving cases have consistently formed part of the daily court roll, especially during weekends and following public holidays.
Magistrates in these courts have echoed concerns about the rise in violations, noting that the E5000 fine appears to have lost its impact on certain drivers.
Speaking anonymously, a court clerk from the Manzini Magistrate Court confirmed that some individuals have appeared more than once for the same offence.
“We’ve seen people pay the fine and come back within a few months for the same thing,” the clerk said, adding that such patterns suggest the need for more stringent measures.
Law enforcement agencies have confirmed that roadblocks will continue, particularly during evenings and weekends, as part of the ongoing effort to reduce road accidents caused by drunk driving.
Police Mouthpiece Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said that the cooperation between the courts and the police service has been crucial in ensuring that offenders are swiftly processed and penalised.
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“We are committed to maintaining road safety, and drunk driving is a threat to that. These fines are part of the consequences,” she said.
According to REPS statistics, drunk driving continues to be a leading cause of road traffic collisions, especially in urban centres.
Many of these accidents occur during night hours, often involving drivers between the ages of 25 and 45. The police have attributed the trend to social drinking and an underestimation of the risks involved in driving under the influence.
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has acknowledged the growing problem and is reportedly reviewing legislation around road traffic offences.
A senior official from the Ministry stated that the department is looking at proposals to amend the Road Traffic Act, including reviewing fine structures, licence suspensions, and the possibility of mandatory driving courses for offenders.
Legal experts have noted that while the current fine is within legal bounds, it may no longer reflect the severity of the risk posed by drunk drivers.
One local attorney, Sisho Magagula said that escalating the fine could act as a financial deterrent. “If a person knows that they’ll lose E10,000 or face jail time for drunk driving, they might think twice,” the attorney said.
Public opinion appears to be divided. Some community members have expressed support for harsher penalties, citing the danger posed to innocent road users. Others have called for alternative sentencing methods such as community service or mandatory alcohol education.
A minibus taxi driver interviewed near the Mbabane Bus Rank said that increasing fines alone might not solve the problem. “They should take people’s licences for six months. That will hurt more than E5,000,” he said.
Meanwhile, repeat offenders continue to pass through the court system, with magistrates across the country repeating a similar message that road safety must come first, and consequences for dangerous driving must match the level of risk posed.
As June ended, the judiciary confirmed that drunk driving cases remain one of the most common criminal offences recorded in the magistrates’ courts.
The E1 million collected this past month reflects a combination of increased law enforcement activity and a steady rise in violations.
Whether the penalty will be increased in the coming months remains to be seen. However, the issue continues to draw attention from the judiciary, the police, and lawmakers alike.
