Louis Trichardt-based fire fighter Charles Thomas Chauke (38) from Bungeni, during his court appearance this week, admitted that he had driven recklessly.

Chauke’s court appearance followed an incident on December 16 last year when his vehicle collided with that of a provincial traffic officer who tried to stop him in Grobler Street. Initially, it was thought that Chauke’s bad driving was due to the fact that he was under the influence of alcohol, but his blood sample tested negative.

Chauke made an admission of guilt on Monday, January 28, and was given a R1 000 fine.

Two other men were also fined for either reckless or negligent driving this week.

Mashudu Norman Makanise (44) from Madombizha also admitted that he had driven recklessly, causing an accident on the Madombizha Road. He too was given a R1 000 admission-of-guilt fine. Hlagisani Robert Khumalo (26) from Eltivillas in turn pleaded guilty to a charge of negligent driving, after hitting a pedestrian with a taxi. Khumalo was given a R500 admission-of-guilt fine.