Durban — A drug dealer was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for drug dealing but five years of his sentence was wholly suspended.
That was according to KwaZulu-Natal Hawks spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo.
He said the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court sentenced Zamokuhle Buthelezi, 33, to 13 years imprisonment for dealing in drugs and five years of his sentence was wholly suspended on Wednesday.
Mhlongo said that Buthelezi was arrested by the Pietermaritzburg-based Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation in May 2018. Members received information about the suspect who was dealing drugs, they proceeded to a house and a search was conducted. The members found straws of heroin, mandrax tablets, and dagga with a street value of approximately R250 660.
“He was placed under arrest and he appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court. His bail application was successfully opposed and he was remanded in custody until he was convicted and sentenced,” Mhlongo said.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court convicted and sentenced Zolile Zikalala to 10 years imprisonment or to pay a fine of R1 million for dealing in drugs.
The crime dates back to October 2020 when two accused, Zolile Zikalala, 42, and Katlego Phahlane, 26, were intercepted on the N3 near Hilton in Pietermaritzburg.
They were found in possession of 30 000 mandrax tablets with a street value of about R1.5 million and were placed under arrest.
They were both released on bail and Phahlane was acquitted during the trial.
Hawks members continued their intensive investigation and that led to the arrest of six more accused in May this year.
During their arrest, crack cocaine and R54 080 cash, suspected to be proceeds of crime, were seized.
“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 February 3, 2023,” Mhlongo added.
Daily News