Hlokomelo Mabogale |
The Musina Regional Court on Wednesday, 13 January 2021 sentenced Mercy Rifundo (42) from Zimbabwe to 15 years imprisonment for smuggling explosives. Rifundo was arrested on 17 August 2020 when a taxi she was travelling in from Zimbabwe to South Africa was stopped and searched by the Beitbridge Border Post police.
The police searched her bag and they found 590 unit of blasting cartridges to the value of R168 000.00 and she was subsequently arrested.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke said “during the investigation, it was discovered that the accused did not have required documents to be in the country”.
Maluleke added that Rifuno was also found guilty for contravening the Immigration Act and fined R20 000.00.
Limpopo Provincial Head, Brigadier Angie Matlabe said they are determined to fight all types of organised crime in South Africa, including transnational crimes. “We will not rest until our country is freed from criminal networks”.
