The Lusaka Fast Track Court has handed a twelve month prison sentence to a 23-year-old man for taking a driving test on behalf of another person.

Thomas Tembo of Kamwala South in Lusaka was charged and convicted for obtaining a Drivers’ License by false pretence contrary to Section 316 read with 308 of the Road Traffic Act No.11 of 2002.

“Magistrate Annie Holland sentenced, Thomas Tembo, to 12 months imprisonment for undertaking a reverse test at the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) Ridgeway Station on behalf of Prince Tembo without lawful authority,” RTSA head public of relations Fredrick Mubanga confirmed in a statement to Kalemba.

Particulars of the offence were that Thomas Tembo, on September 10th, 2018 in Lusaka willfully attempted to procure a driving license under the Road Traffic Act No.11 of 2002 for another person namely, Prince Tembo by false pretence, by way of undertaking a driver reverse tests on behalf of Prince.

Further, an alert Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) Officer who was charged with the responsibility of monitoring the reverse test circuit came across a male adult who had successfully passed the reverse test.

Shortly, the Officer noticed that the person who had undertaken the test was Thomas Tembo and not Prince Tembo as seen from the National Registration Card (NRC) and Provisional Driving License in his possession.

In mitigation, Thomas Tembo pleaded for leniency as he was a first offender and that he had a wife and family that depended on him.

But Magistrate Holland said she had considered the evidence and sentenced Thomas to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour.

And the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) says it is elated with the Courts’ judgement as it would serve as a deterrent measure to would be traffic offenders.

The Agency hopes that the conviction of Mr. Thomas Tembo would act as a deterrent measure to would-be offenders and send a strong self-control signal to others strictly adhere to the laid down procedure of obtaining a Driver License.