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However, the State says there is no basis for the magistrate to turn around and believe what Zulu was now saying.
Mr Mahwe, in his ruling, said although he was convinced that Ameer authorised Zulu to drive the boat, he had no choice but to give him the benefit of the doubt. He said it was bizarre for Zulu to make a U-turn and exonerate Ameer and questioned his mental capacity. He said the case deserved the severest of punishments and there was no need to suspend any portion.
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Charges against the quartet arose on December 25 last year when Ameer allegedly asked Zulu to drive the boat and Weale to collect money from passengers. They failed to provide life jackets to passengers in the boat. Abrahams loaded 17 passengers in a boat with a capacity to carry six passengers. Ameer allegedly instru-cted
Zulu to drive the boat with passengers without life jackets. Zulu was not licensed, but drove the boat into the lake at around 6.10pm.
As the boat was in the middle of the lake, water started getting in whereupon passengers panicked and moved to one side. The overloaded boat then capsized, killing 11 children.
Online Reporter