A South African man who was arrested over the weekend after he drove his vehicle through the barricades at State House along Borrowdale Road at around 3am, was yesterday fined $150 for trespassing.

Adriaan Philip Olivier (30), who is a professional hunter employed by Save Safaris in Devure Range, Bikita, was convicted on his own plea of guilty. The road is only open to motorists between 6am and 6pm every day for security reasons.

When he was arrested, Olivier was in possession of nine live rounds of ammunition. He pleaded for the court’s leniency, arguing that he was not familiar with the rules and regulations of that area.

In passing sentence, magistrate Mr Lazini Ncube took note that Olivier was a first offender who pleaded guilty and did not waste the court’s time. “First offenders need to be treated with leniency,” he said. “He also has a sick child that he needs to take care of.”

Mr Ncube said the fact that Olivier was not familiar with the area was not an excuse.