Three of the five South African women accused of drug trafficking appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon following their arrest at OR Tambo International Airport.

Kempton Express reports the accused were arrested on March 28 during a joint operation between the SAPS and Airports Company South Africa .

During proceedings, accused Vuyokazi Toko submitted an affidavit through her legal representative outlining her version of events.

In her affidavit, Toko stated that she believed she had no previous convictions, as she had been advised that a 2010 conviction related to loading extra baggage during her employment with South African Airways had been expunged.

She further indicated that she has no pending cases, protection orders or civil matters against her.

Alleged recruitment and threats

Toko claimed that earlier in March she was contacted by a man identifying himself as ‘Mr Olu Oribuchi’, who allegedly offered to invest in her clothing business after learning she was unemployed.

She stated that she met the man at a guesthouse in Edleen, Kempton Park, where he inspected her passport and later arranged travel for her to Hong Kong.

According to Toko, shortly before departure, the man became aggressive and called in two unknown individuals, who allegedly threatened her and forced her to conceal unknown substances in her body and clothing.

She said she was then transported, along with four other women she did not know, to OR Tambo International Airport, where they were arrested.

State outlines investigation

The state, represented by prosecutor Takalani Mukhumo, presented evidence from the investigating officer, who interviewed all five suspects at Kempton Park Police Station on March 29.

According to the officer, all five accused gave statements indicating that they had been recruited by individuals referred to as ‘Mr X’ and ‘Mrs X’ to transport drugs to Hong Kong in exchange for payment of approximately R40 000.

The accused allegedly indicated that they had been kept at a guesthouse from March 25 until their arrest, were not allowed to leave, and that the drugs, believed to be cocaine weighing about 2.3kg per person, were concealed on or in their bodies at the premises.

The investigating officer stated that each accused provided consistent accounts, suggesting the involvement of an organised drug trafficking syndicate operating across international borders.

Bail opposed

Legal representatives for the accused declined to allow their clients to make formal confessions implicating the alleged recruiters.

The state further submitted that the accused pose a flight risk, noting that they were arrested while en route to Hong Kong.

Travel records also showed multiple international trips for some of the accused, while two were travelling abroad for the first time.

It was also confirmed that all the accused have no pending cases, with only one having a previous conviction for fraud dating back to 2009.

The state argued that bail should be denied, citing the seriousness of the offence, the strength of the case, and the fact that the alleged syndicate members have not yet been arrested.

Case postponed

The defence questioned why details of the guesthouse and its owner were not disclosed, despite information being provided by the accused.

The matter has been postponed to next Monday for a ruling on the bail application.

Meanwhile, two of the accused, Zodwa Patience Mthombeni and Nemukondeni Mulweli Precious, briefly appeared in court, with their matter rolling over to today due to time constraints.

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