Two South Africans Jailed for R7 Million Heroin Smuggling at Beitbridge After 17 Years

Two South Africans Finally Jailed for R7 Million Heroin Smuggling at Beitbridge After 17 Years

Two South African men, Johannes James Harry (56) and Sobhuza Aubrey Lingwati (70), have been sentenced to six years in prison each for their involvement in a 2008 heroin smuggling operation through Beitbridge Border Post.

The convictions mark the end of a long-running case that saw multiple delays over nearly two decades.

Also Read: Zimbabwe Launches New Drug Agency To Target Cartels And Dealers

R7 Million Worth of Heroin Found in Hidden Truck Compartment

According to B-Metro, the case began when border police stopped a truck arriving from Zimbabwe. Officers discovered a secret compartment welded into the trailer, containing heroin valued at over R7 million.

“Hawks investigators used a grinder to open the secret chamber and discovered heroin worth over R7 million,” said Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa of the Hawks.

Also Read: Police Seize Drug Consignment Worth US$68 000 Following Midnight Raid – 9 Arrested

Bribery Attempt Leads to Arrest

The driver, Lingwati, was arrested immediately at the scene. Harry later attempted to bribe the police to drop the investigation, but the effort backfired.

“Later, his partner Harry tried to bribe the police not to proceed with the case, but that landed him in handcuffs too,” Mmuroa explained.

A subsequent Hawks raid uncovered a drug manufacturing base in Zuurbekom, Gauteng, further linking the men to the operation.

Long Investigation Concludes

The Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit in Polokwane handled the case for 17 years, with repeated delays before the court finally delivered justice this month.

As part of their sentence, both men were declared unfit to own firearms, and their truck and trailer were forfeited to the State. Authorities hailed the convictions as a strong warning to those involved in organised drug trafficking.

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