2 South Africans jailed for smuggling drugs from Zimbabwe

Two South African men have been sentenced to six years in prison for their roles in smuggling drugs valued at R7 million from Zimbabwe via the Beitbridge border post.

Johannes James Harry (56) and Sobhuza Aubrey Lingwati (70) appeared in Protea Magistrates Court, where they were convicted on charges of unlawful possession of drugs, manufacturing of drugs, and corruption.

Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, spokesperson for the Hawks, confirmed that Harry was sentenced to a R300 000 fine or six years imprisonment for corruption and drug manufacturing, while Lingwati received a R150 000 fine or six years imprisonment for drug manufacturing. Both were also declared unfit to possess firearms under the Firearm Control Act, and the truck and trailer used in the operation were forfeited to the State.

The case follows a tragic bus accident last Sunday at a rugged mountain pass in Limpopo, when a bus traveling from Gqeberha to Harare veered off the road, killing 43 people, mostly Zimbabweans and Malawians. Following the accident, authorities discovered large quantities of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs and other prescription medication among the wreckage, prompting a full-scale investigation.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni expressed concern over the discovery of undocumented medical cargo, describing it as "a brazen theft that undermines the fight against HIV in South Africa." She called on foreign nationals to respect South African laws, stressing that the theft of ARVs contributes to drug resistance and hampers public health efforts.

The Hawks' investigation revealed that Lingwati concealed the heroin in a false compartment of a commercial truck. After his arrest, Harry attempted to bribe police officers to avoid arrest and was subsequently charged with corruption. Further investigation led authorities to a property in Zuurbekom, Gauteng Province, where drug manufacturing equipment was recovered.

The cases were centralized and prosecuted at the Protea Magistrates Court in Soweto, reflecting a coordinated effort by the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit based in Polokwane.

This conviction underscores South Africa's commitment to cracking down on pharmaceutical smuggling and ensuring accountability for those attempting to circumvent border controls and endanger public health.