A South African court has sentenced a Nigerian man, Victor Udoh, and his South African accomplice, Vuyisekha Mzwakhe, to a total of 37 years in prison after finding them guilty of drug trafficking and related offences.
The judgment was delivered by the Oudtshoorn Regional Court, which handed 33-year-old Udoh a 22-year sentence, 20 years for dealing in hard drugs and an additional two years for violating immigration laws. Mzwakhe, who prosecutors described as the courier in the operation, was sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
According to South Africa–based Nova News, the case dates back to 2021 when Mzwakhe contacted Udoh via a social media platform and expressed willingness to transport packages across several cities.
Prosecutors said the discussions eventually evolved into a deliberate arrangement to move illegal drugs, with Udoh funding her transport and lodging.
Detectives traced the pair to a guesthouse in George, where a parcel was delivered to them on October 15, 2021.
Acting on intelligence, officers later intercepted a taxi conveying the duo to Oudtshoorn. A search of the vehicle uncovered a box containing 743 grams of methamphetamine, locally known as “tik,” valued at approximately R260,050.
During the trial, state prosecutor Hyron Goulding argued that Udoh coordinated the drug operation, while Mzwakhe “knowingly and willingly” acted as the courier.
Both defendants denied wrongdoing, Mzwakhe claimed she was unaware of the contents of the parcel, while Udoh challenged the legality of the police search.
However, the court ruled that officers acted within the law and that both suspects had consented to the search at the roadblock.
It also emerged during proceedings that Udoh had been in South Africa illegally for more than five years, after his asylum request was rejected in 2016.
While Mzwakhe was initially granted bail, she was later re-arrested after failing to attend court sessions. Udoh remained in custody throughout the lengthy trial after his bail application was refused.
Reacting to the judgment, the National Prosecuting Authority said the conviction shows South Africa’s determination to curb drug trafficking, which it described as a threat to public safety and community stability.
