Prince Sifiso Zulu has offered to pay compensation to the families of two people who died when he skipped a red traffic light and hit their vehicle
The incident took place in March 2008.
He has also offered to compensate the 10 people injured in the collision between his BMW X5 and a Mitsubishi double-cab - which was carrying members of the Soul's Harbour Ministries Church.
He was found guilty in April of seven charges, including culpable homicide, reckless driving, failing to stop at an accident and failing to help the injured.
On Thursday, the Durban Regional Court began hearing evidence in mitigation and aggravation of sentence.
Zulu's defence counsel Thabani Masuku submitted that correctional supervision would be an appropriate sentence, with a condition of compensation attached.
Arguing in mitigation, he said that before sentencing Zulu, the court needed to consider that the car used by victims was overloaded during the accident.
It also needed to consider that the occupants of the car were not wearing seatbelts, which put them in danger of a fatal accident even if the cause was just a "small bump".
Masuku said the court also needed to consider that Zulu played a significant role in society and had professional responsibilities.
In argument in aggravation of sentence, prosecutor Mark Dyson described Zulu as a man of influence and said he had "not shown any remorse until this day".
He told the court a report prepared by social welfare and correctional services officers motivating a sentence of correctional supervision included the name of eThekwini's municipal manager Dr Mike Sutcliffe.
"This shows that he [Zulu] is a man of influence. It shows the type of influence he has.
"The sentence that the defence is proposing will send a message that people who have influence and money don't go to jail," said Dyson.
The prosecutor said Zulu's conduct during the accident had been despicable.
"He left the scene without checking whether people needed help or not.
"His conduct on the road is very bad," said Dyson.
The prosecutor suggested that Zulu's driving licence be cancelled.
Relatives of the victims and reporters packed the courtroom to hear the sentencing proceedings.
Prince Zulu offers to compensate church victims
Prince Sifiso Zulu has offered to pay compensation to the families of two people who died when he skipped a red traffic light and hit their vehicle
The incident took place in March 2008.
He has also offered to compensate the 10 people injured in the collision between his BMW X5 and a Mitsubishi double-cab - which was carrying members of the Soul's Harbour Ministries Church.
He was found guilty in April of seven charges, including culpable homicide, reckless driving, failing to stop at an accident and failing to help the injured.
On Thursday, the Durban Regional Court began hearing evidence in mitigation and aggravation of sentence.
Zulu's defence counsel Thabani Masuku submitted that correctional supervision would be an appropriate sentence, with a condition of compensation attached.
Arguing in mitigation, he said that before sentencing Zulu, the court needed to consider that the car used by victims was overloaded during the accident.
It also needed to consider that the occupants of the car were not wearing seatbelts, which put them in danger of a fatal accident even if the cause was just a "small bump".
Masuku said the court also needed to consider that Zulu played a significant role in society and had professional responsibilities.
In argument in aggravation of sentence, prosecutor Mark Dyson described Zulu as a man of influence and said he had "not shown any remorse until this day".
He told the court a report prepared by social welfare and correctional services officers motivating a sentence of correctional supervision included the name of eThekwini's municipal manager Dr Mike Sutcliffe.
"This shows that he [Zulu] is a man of influence. It shows the type of influence he has.
"The sentence that the defence is proposing will send a message that people who have influence and money don't go to jail," said Dyson.
The prosecutor said Zulu's conduct during the accident had been despicable.
"He left the scene without checking whether people needed help or not.
"His conduct on the road is very bad," said Dyson.
The prosecutor suggested that Zulu's driving licence be cancelled.
Relatives of the victims and reporters packed the courtroom to hear the sentencing proceedings.
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