Western Cape Woman’s Drug Mule Deal With Nigerian Partner Backfires As Police Snag 743g Tik Parcel

A Western Cape woman and a Nigerian man have been handed lengthy prison sentences after their drug-mule scheme unravelled in the Klein Karoo.

The Oudtshoorn Regional Court sentenced Vuyisekha Miranda Mzwakhe to 15 years for drug dealing. Her co-accused, Victor Ikechukwu Udoh, received 20 years for drug dealing plus an additional two years for overstaying his visa by more than five years.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the disturbing arrangement began when Mzwakhe approached Udoh via social media, offering herself as a mule to transport drugs around South Africa.

Western Cape Guesthouse Drop-Off Leads to Roadblock Interception

Ntabazalila told the court that despite initial hesitation, Udoh eventually agreed to work with Mzwakhe. He paid for her trip from Gqeberha to George, including accommodation at a local guesthouse.

The guesthouse owner confirmed receiving a call from a man who booked a room on 15 October 2021. A courier later delivered a parcel, which the caller claimed as his.

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Mzwakhe checked in that afternoon, followed shortly by Udoh, whom she let through the gate. The pair later left together.

They then took a taxi to Oudtshoorn, but police received a tip-off about a suspicious couple. Officers set up a roadblock and stopped the taxi.

During the search, an officer noticed Mzwakhe holding a box on her lap, with Udoh seated behind her.

After passengers were instructed to exit, she left the parcel behind and claimed it belonged to Udoh. Udoh was holding her bag containing her clothes, ID and passport.

Police opened the box and found 743 grams of methamphetamine (Tik) with a street value of R260,050.

Social Media Chats Sink Pair as Court Finds Them Guilty

Both were arrested, but Mzwakhe later skipped court and was rearrested. She ultimately spent a year in custody awaiting sentencing, while Udoh spent five years behind bars after being denied bail.

In court, Mzwakhe denied knowing the parcel contained drugs, claiming Udoh told her only to collect it from reception. Udoh argued the search was unconstitutional.

However, their denials collapsed when prosecutors presented social media conversations in which Mzwakhe explicitly offered to transport drugs for Udoh just days before their arrest.

The court also heard that Udoh had previously applied for asylum, but his application was rejected in 2016.

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