THE Richards Bay Magistrate’s Court ordered that a Nigerian citizen convicted of possession of cocaine, must be brought to the attention of the Director General of Home Affairs.
John Kingsley Echezona Mawekwe (31), who was found in possession of four pieces of cocaine weighing 0,70 grams, was sentenced to R4 000 or two years imprisonment.
In terms of the Immigration Act, the Director General may withdraw a permanent residence permit if the holder is convicted of an offence relating to the illicit possession, conveyance or supply of dependence producing drugs.
Earlier this month the Pongola Regional Court sentenced two Tanzanians to 20 years imprisonment each for trafficking heroin with a street value of over R2-million across the Golela border.
Bohari Mbegu Bohari (37) and Nas Mohamed Issa (34) were caught with 2,7 kilograms of heroin powder originating from Afghanistan when they crossed the border in November last year.
The men, both from Dar es Salaam, were travelling in a minibus taxi from Maputu heading for Durban, when the border police did a routine search of the vehicle.
They became suspicious of the two men who were carrying identical suitcases.
When they were instructed to open the suitcases, they refused and said it did not belong to them.
The police subsequently forced it open and discovered both had false top and bottom compartments with two sealed parcels each, containing a white powdery substance.
Narcotics expert, Warrant Officer Ryno Louw, testified that the street value of heroin is about R700 per gram.
Both claimed that it was their first time entering South Africa, but investigations revealed Issa landed on Oliver Tambo twice and crossed borders into the country six times previously.
More convictions
Also convicted in the Richards Bay District Court was foreign citizen Juma Omar (28) – for possession of cocaine.
He was sentenced to 90 days imprisonment.
Brackenham resident Mamojela Mofokeng (31) was convicted of dealing in dagga after being found with 18 bags of dagga, each weighing 25 kilograms.
He was sentenced to R9 000 or six years imprisonment, of which half was suspended for five years.
Meanwhile, Sibonelo Israel Ndwandwe (29) is appearing in the Richards Bay District Court for allegedly possessing Methcathinone at Harry’s Sport Bar in November last year.
His trial commenced on Monday.
Methcathinone is also known as ‘cat’, ‘Jeff’ or ‘Charlie’ and used as a recreational drug, considered to be addictive.
