Four of the five South African women accused of drug trafficking appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court yesterday, following their arrest at OR Tambo International Airport on March 28 during a joint operation between the SAPS and Airports Company South Africa.

Kempton Express reports that during yesterday’s proceedings, accused Elisa Thuli Shikwambane submitted an affidavit through her legal representative, Wisani Monareng, outlining her version of events.

In her affidavit, Shikwambane claimed that she met a man known as ‘Mr Olu Oribuchi’ on a dating site in May 2025.

She alleged that they formed a relationship and met several times, during which he introduced her to his wife as a potential business partner.

She stated that the couple provided her with money to purchase stock, which she would sell, and that they agreed on profit-sharing arrangements.

According to Shikwambane, she was called from Limpopo to a lodge in Edleen, Kempton Park, on March 15, where she stayed until the day of her arrest.

She alleged that while she was initially treated well, the situation changed on March 27, when she was no longer allowed to leave. She claimed she was told that ‘stock’ was needed in Hong Kong and that she would be travelling the following day.

Shikwambane further stated that on March 28, she was placed in a room with four other women and allegedly threatened by the man, who became aggressive and warned her to co-operate if she did not want to be harmed.

She claimed that two unknown men then forced the group to conceal unknown substances in their bras and private areas before transporting them to the airport, where they were arrested.

State presents opposing version

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 indicated 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 stated that they were 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 said the statements provided by the accused were consistent, suggesting the involvement of an organised international drug trafficking syndicate.

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

Bail opposed

The state further argued that the accused pose a flight risk, noting that they were arrested while en route to Hong Kong. Travel records showed that some of the accused had previously travelled internationally, while two were travelling abroad for the first time.

It was also confirmed that none of the accused have pending cases, although one has a previous fraud conviction dating back to 2009.

The state submitted that bail should be denied due to the seriousness of the charges, the strength of the case, and the fact that the alleged syndicate members have not yet been arrested.

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

Arrest details presented in court

Mukhumo also presented an additional affidavit from the investigating officer, detailing how the arrests were made.

According to the affidavit, authorities received information from the Joint Operations Centre at the central terminal building regarding suspicious footwear. A scan reportedly detected substances suspected to be drugs concealed in sneakers.

On arrival, the officer found Shikwambane at an ACSA security checkpoint, where she was identified and placed under arrest. The remaining suspects were subsequently arrested at boarding gates, with their passports in their possession.

Case postponed

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

Meanwhile, three of the accused, Zodwa Patience Mthombeni, Nomangcisa Dayimani, and Nemukondeni Mulweli Precious, briefly appeared in court, with their matter postponed to Tuesday and Wednesday due to time constraints.

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