Unlicensed driver crashes into police station

AN UNLICENSED driver from Bulawayo's Mpopoma suburb who had been arrested and taken to the Western Commonage police station for pirating without an operator's licence, smashed into the station's gate as he tried to reverse on his way out.

Mphathisi Gwebu, 22, pleaded guilty to crashing into the gate and driving without a licence but denied the charge of pirating.

He was remanded out of custody to June 22 for trial.

Appearing before Western Commonage magistrate Nyaradzo Ringisai, Gwebu said he was not pirating when he was arrested.

"Your Worship I was not pirating when they arrested me. I was actually coming from Kelvin to fix my car, my radiator was leaking.

"I had given my friend a lift who wanted to be dropped at the Total garage. The other two charges I admit them," said Gwebu.

Lilo Kagunde for the State said Gwebu was arrested on Tuesday.

"The accused person was using a Toyota Fun Cargo vehicle to pirate violating the Road Traffic Act. He drove the vehicle without due care and attention causing him to hit the gate of the ZRP Western Commonage station. He was driving the vehicle without a valid driver's licence," said Kagunde.

Magistrate Ringisai emphasised the importance of having a valid driver's licence.