Drug trial deferred to March

Home Crime and Courts Drug trial deferred to March

By Tunomukwathi Asino

WINDHOEK – A Windhoek magistrate on Friday postponed to March 10 the trial of two women, who were arrested in December 2012 for possession of illicit drugs.

Zimbabwean national Priscilla Masa, 26, and Sisa Heather Buthelezi, 38, from South Africa appeared before Magistrate Ingrid Lerato Unengu, who informed the two accused that their trial had been postponed to March to allow for the complete typing of a transcript record for their trial.

The alleged drug mules denied the charges levelled against them when they entered pleas of “not guilty” at the start of their trial on February 14, 2014.

The two are each charged with illegally dealing in prohibited dangerous substances, illegally importing prohibited drugs into Namibia, and illegal possession of prohibited drugs.

The substance found in their possession has been identified as Ephedrine Schedule IV, used to manufacture cold and flu medicines and other varieties of medicines.

It is reported drug dealers also use this substance to make illicit drugs, among others ‘Tik’ (crystal methamphetamine), Mandrax and Ecstasy.

The two were remanded in custody at the Walvis Bay Police Station’s holding cells. Erastus Hatutale represented the state, while Vetu Uanivi represented the two women in court on Friday.