Nigerian, South African jailed 37 years for drug trafficking

A South African court has sentenced a Nigerian man, Victor Udoh, and his South African accomplice, Vuyisekha Mzwakhe, to a combined 37 years in prison for drug trafficking.

Udoh, 33, was jailed for 22 years 20 years for drug dealing and two years for immigration offences — while Mzwakhe received 15 years for acting as a willing drug courier.

According to South Africa’s Nova News, the duo ran their drug operations through social media. Mzwakhe reportedly contacted Udoh via messenger apps and offered to transport “stuff” across major cities, including Johannesburg, Durban and Plettenberg Bay.

Investigators said Udoh paid for her travel and accommodation, and both suspects later checked into a guesthouse in George, where a courier dropped off a parcel on 15 October 2021. They left with the package and boarded a taxi heading to Oudtshoorn.

Police, acting on a tip-off, mounted a roadblock and stopped the taxi. Officers found Mzwakhe holding a box containing 743 grams of methamphetamine (‘tik’) valued at R260,050.

During trial, prosecutors described Udoh as the mastermind and Mzwakhe as a “willing participant”. Despite both pleading not guilty, the court ruled that police acted lawfully and that the evidence was overwhelming.

The court also heard that Udoh had lived illegally in South Africa for more than five years after his asylum request was rejected. Both suspects had spent years in custody during trial Udoh for five years and Mzwakhe for one year after she jumped bail.

South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the judgment, saying drug crimes continue to fuel violence in communities.