In a concerted effort by criminal justice to deal with drug trafficking, Madikwe Regional Court sentenced Sibusiso Jeffrey Nkosi (39), Soams Slender Sibanda (36), Mpumelelo Vezy Mlambo (42) and Fibion Sibanda (35) on Monday, 13 May 2019, to a combined 63 years imprisonment for manufacturing and dealing in drugs.
A Corsa bakkie as well as R40 000 cash (bail money) was also forfeited to the State.
The accused were arrested in May 2017 following a crime intelligence driven operation by Phokeng K9 Unit about a suspicious activity at Moubane village near Madikwe. Subsequently, a search was conducted at the place at approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 9 May 2017. The search paid off when the following were found inside the accused’s shack: Two x burning gas stoves and drug manufacturing chemicals.
All of these items were seized as well as Mandrax with estimated street value of R338 000.00. It was later confirmed through forensic analysis that indeed it was Mandrax that was being manufactured.
The accused were charged for manufacturing and dealing in drugs as well as contravening Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1992 (Act 140 of 1992). The accused were convicted on Friday, 22 March 2019.They were sentenced as follows:
1. Sibusiso Jeffrey Nkosi: 15 years imprisonment for manufacturing and dealing in drugs and six months imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act.
2. Soams Slender Sibanda: 15 years imprisonment for manufacturing and dealing in drugs and six months imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act.
3. Mpumelelo Vezy Mlambo: 15 years imprisonment for manufacturing and dealing in drugs.
4. Fibion Sibanda: 15 years imprisonment for manufacturing and dealing in drugs and one year imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act.
The Provincial Commissioner of the North West, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, welcomed the sentence and congratulated the investigating team for ensuring that perpetrators are put behind bars for drug related offences that have negative on the lives of our communities.
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