Arrive Alive official drinks 4L beer and drives

One of the government’s road safety champions is preaching about responsible driving from his office — two weeks after being convicted of drunken driving.

Eastern Cape Department of Transport communications director Ncedo Kumbaca, who is also the spokesman for Arrive Alive in the province, admitted to drinking almost four litres of beer before causing an accident and writing off his car.

He was sentenced to five months in prison or a fine of R5000 — which he chose to pay in instalments — by the East London Magistrate’s Court. He pleaded with the court not to endorse his licence because he needed it to do his job.



On the flip side, driving while drunk makes you more liable to take risks.


The 28-year-old was unimpressed when confronted on Thursday. “That’s not news. There is nothing more to write about in this matter. Leave me alone.”

He was arrested on March 17 2007 after his black Nissan Navara crashed into a Mercedes-Benz in Amalinda Main Road in East London. Tests by a district surgeon showed his blood alcohol level to be 0.26g/ 100ml — well over the legal limit of 0.05g/ 100ml.

Arrive Alive

In a sworn statement to court, he admitted to drinking five 750ml quarts of Amstel Lager before the crash.

Kumbaca, also an ANC Youth League branch chairman in East London, now faces another potential embarrassment.

The Sunday Times has seen documents proving that he distributed league statements and newsletters via his office to recipients on the department’s e-mail list. Public servants may not promote the interests of political parties using state property.

Kumbaca distributed his branch’s newsletter, Lutsha, which encouraged youths to vote for the ANC, on April 16. It was sent to him by Buffalo City municipal spokesman Samkelo Ngwenya, who is treasurer of the same branch.

“Morning chairperson. Here is an electronic version of our newsletter for distribution. Amandla,” Ngwenya wrote. Kumbaca then sent out the newsletter. He has admitted to forwarding the e-mails, but refused to comment further.

Eastern Cape MEC for roads and transport Gloria Barry will be handed a report on the drunken-driving incident tomorrow and will decide whether to take action against Kumbaca. She said an investigation would also be conducted into the e-mail saga.

Ngwenya could not be reached for comment. The Department of Transport’s spokesman, Sam Monareng, referred all questions back to Kumbaca. National Arrive Alive spokesman Thandi Moyo did not respond to questions.

- The Times