Kwazulu-Natal – As the fight against drugs in South Africa rages on, a convicted syndicate member was given the choice of either spending ten years in jail or paying a whopping R1 million fine.
Zolile Zikalala (42) was convicted and sentenced to ten years imprisonment or to pay a fine of R1 million by the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court on Tuesday, December 6 for dealing in drugs, South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed in a statement.
In October 2020, Zikalala and his accomplice, Katlego Phahlane (26) were intercepted on the N3 near Hilton in Pietermaritzburg.
According to SAPS spokesperson, Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, they were found in possession of 30 000 mandrax tablets to the street value of approximately R1.5 million and were placed under arrest. They were both released on bail and Phahlane was acquitted during trial.
“Hawks members continued with their intensive investigation that led to the arrest of the six more accused in May this year. During their arrest four jaws of crack cocaine and R54 080.00 cash, suspected to be proceeds of crime were seized,” Mhlongo said.
The six accused, Thembile Radebe (50), Givenson Khumalo (32), Nomusa Radebe (44), Gugulethu Nkabini (43) Themba Khumalo (34) and Nokuthula Zuma (45) will continue with their trial on 3 February 2023.
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
