Durban: South Africa's Defence Minister has been convicted for reckless and negligent driving after being caught speeding on a highway, and ordered to pay a fine of R 5,000 (USD 715) or face 12 months imprisonment.

 Mosiuoa Lekota, who was charged with exceeding the speed limit on one of the highways in Johannesburg last Sunday, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court today and admitted to driving at high speed.

He was caught on camera speeding at 180 km/h. The minister apologised and opted to pay the fine.

Lekota said he was on his way home from a funeral and given the late hour and the fact that the roads were relatively quiet, he thought it would be okay to drive a little faster.

Lekota is one of several cabinet ministers who had been voted out of the National Executive Committee of the ruling ANC at its recent annual conference.

He and several of his Cabinet colleagues, including President Thabo Mbeki, will serve only for the next 18 months, after which they are expected to be replaced by loyalists of new party leader Jacob Zuma. 

Source : PTI