KWAZULU-NATAL socialite Prince Sifiso Zulu has been sentenced to three years in jail.
A Durban magistrate said yesterday that Zulu had shown no remorse for killing two members of the Souls Harbour Ministries Church in a hit-and-run accident.
He sentenced him to five years imprisonment, two of which were suspended for three years.
Magistrate Thomas Nhleko said the sentence was to serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders. Nhleko said it was "disturbing" that Zulu, the former president of the Durban Chamber of Commerce, committed the offence after being convicted of drunken driving in 2006.
Zulu, a self-proclaimed member of the Zulu royal family, was the driver of a BMW X5 that jumped a red traffic light and collided with a Mitsubishi double cab in March 2008, killing two people and injuring 10 others.
Nhleko said: "There is no doubt that the accident occurred at a high speed on a wet road at night. It's also apparent that alcohol was consumed and this was an aggravating factor. Another aggravating factor is that you fled the scene without rendering any assistance to the injured."
Before sentencing, prosecutor Mark Dyson said Zulu should serve jail time because of his "affluence and influence", and in so doing send out a message that the rich were not above the law.
"South Africa's roads are dangerous because of people like the accused who drive on our roads," Dyson said.
In addition to the jail time, Zulu was fined R7500 and ordered to surrender his driver's licence to the court orderly immediately.
Dudu Ngema, who survived the crash, said the sentence was "too lenient".
When asked for comment, a smiling Zulu said: "Why should I cry when it's not over yet?"
He has applied for leave to appeal, and his bail was extended.
Zulu faces 3-year jail term
KWAZULU-NATAL socialite Prince Sifiso Zulu has been sentenced to three years in jail.
A Durban magistrate said yesterday that Zulu had shown no remorse for killing two members of the Souls Harbour Ministries Church in a hit-and-run accident.
He sentenced him to five years imprisonment, two of which were suspended for three years.
Magistrate Thomas Nhleko said the sentence was to serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders. Nhleko said it was "disturbing" that Zulu, the former president of the Durban Chamber of Commerce, committed the offence after being convicted of drunken driving in 2006.
Zulu, a self-proclaimed member of the Zulu royal family, was the driver of a BMW X5 that jumped a red traffic light and collided with a Mitsubishi double cab in March 2008, killing two people and injuring 10 others.
Nhleko said: "There is no doubt that the accident occurred at a high speed on a wet road at night. It's also apparent that alcohol was consumed and this was an aggravating factor. Another aggravating factor is that you fled the scene without rendering any assistance to the injured."
Before sentencing, prosecutor Mark Dyson said Zulu should serve jail time because of his "affluence and influence", and in so doing send out a message that the rich were not above the law.
"South Africa's roads are dangerous because of people like the accused who drive on our roads," Dyson said.
In addition to the jail time, Zulu was fined R7500 and ordered to surrender his driver's licence to the court orderly immediately.
Dudu Ngema, who survived the crash, said the sentence was "too lenient".
When asked for comment, a smiling Zulu said: "Why should I cry when it's not over yet?"
He has applied for leave to appeal, and his bail was extended.
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