Woman accused of trafficking R34 million drug ingredients denied bail

Court denies bail to woman accused of trafficking R34 million in drug ingredients.

The Musina Magistrates’ Court has denied bail to a 41-year-old woman accused of being involved in the alleged trafficking of drug ingredients worth approximately R34 million.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi, said that Nonkululeko Goodhope Khoza, the fourth accused in a case involving charges of dealing in drugs, dealing in illicit goods, money laundering and the acquisition of proceeds of defined crime.

One of the accused, Ogbaugu Abumchukwu Victor, also faces a charge of being in South Africa on fabricated documents .

Khoza and Victor were recently arrested following the earlier arrests of three alleged co-accused, 35-year-old Malawian nationals Mabuchi Dayo Kumwenda and Thandie Phiri, 26, as well as 46-year-old Zambian national Philip Chanza.

Malabi said the accused allegedly transported drug ingredients worth about R34 million from Malawi to Johannesburg on May 27, 2026.

Their journey was allegedly intercepted when Border Management Authority officials conducted a stop-and-search operation at the Beitbridge Port of Entry.

During the operation, the alleged drug ingredients were discovered concealed inside a truck belonging to Khoza.

Khoza subsequently brought a bail application before the court by way of affidavit, seeking her release pending the finalisation of the case. The State opposed her application.

The court refused bail after finding that Khoza posed a flight risk and was likely to commit further offences if released.

The court also considered allegations that Khoza had attempted to bribe a police official.

It found that she had failed to demonstrate that the interests of justice permitted her release on bail.

The matter was postponed to August 27, 2026, for further investigation and to deal with the bail applications of the remaining accused.

The NPA commended the Border Management Authority and the investigating team for intercepting the alleged consignment and their continued efforts to combat drug trafficking and organised crime.