State wants more jail time for Zulu
2011-10-07 20:09
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Pietermaritzburg - The State intends asking the Kwa-Zulu-Natal High Court Pietermaritzburg to increase the sentence imposed on Durban businessman Prince Sifiso Zulu, who was convicted of culpable homicide.
Zulu was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, three years conditionally suspended.
Zulu, 37, was convicted of culpable homicide in the deaths of Sidumaselso Nonjabule Ncube and Hlengiwe Yvonne Dlamini in March 2008.
He was also found guilty of reckless or negligent driving, failing to stop at a red light, failing to stop after an accident, and of driving while under the influence of alcohol.
In convicting Zulu, Durban Magistrate T Nhleko found that a non-custodial sentence was not suitable.
Nhleko said Zulu persistently denied that he had been the driver of the car despite clear evidence that he was driving.
On Friday, Judge Yvonne Mbatha re-instated his appeal which was cancelled by the court when no lawyer appeared to represent him on September 29.
His new counsel advocate Mergan Chetty explained that Zulu's failure to brief lawyers to appeal was due to a misunderstanding.
Zulu had trusted that the lawyers who acted for him during his long trial in the Durban Regional Court would arrange the appeal.
He had heard that they had not organised his appeal only on the night of September 28. The appeal was set down for the next day.
Zulu's bail of R5 000 was trebled to R15 000 on Friday. More stringent conditions were also set.
He was not precluded from travelling abroad as long as a branch commander or investigating officer was informed.
Zulu has business interests and is a past president of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and of an international chamber of commerce.
- SAPA
