A South African court has handed down a severe combined prison sentence of 37 years to a Nigerian national and his South African accomplice for drug trafficking and immigration violations.
Court Details and Sentences
The Oudtshoorn Regional Court found 33-year-old Nigerian Victor Udoh and his associate, Vuyisekha Mzwakhe, guilty following a five-year legal process. Udoh received a 22-year sentence, comprising 20 years for drug dealing and an additional 2 years for immigration offences. Mzwakhe was sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role as a drug courier in the operation.
The convictions stem from an incident in October 2021, where police, acting on intelligence, intercepted a taxi carrying the suspects. A search of the vehicle uncovered a box containing 743 grams of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of R260,050.
The Investigation and Trial
Court documents revealed that the illegal operation began in 2021 when Mzwakhe contacted Udoh via a social media messaging platform, offering to transport items between cities. Prosecutors established that she acted as a willing courier, receiving funds from Udoh for travel and accommodation.
The pair were tracked to a guesthouse in George, where a parcel was delivered to them on October 15, 2021. State prosecutor Hyron Goulding argued during the trial that Udoh coordinated the entire network, while Mzwakhe was a knowing participant. Both had pleaded not guilty, with Mzwakhe claiming ignorance of the package contents and Udoh challenging the legality of the police search. The court dismissed these defences.
Further details emerged about Udoh's immigration status. The court heard that he had been living unlawfully in South Africa for over five years after his asylum application was rejected in 2016. Mzwakhe was initially granted bail but was later rearrested for failing to appear in court, while Udoh was denied bail and remained in custody throughout the trial.
Broader Context and Official Reaction
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the judgment, stating it underscores the justice system's commitment to dismantling drug trading networks, which it described as a major driver of violence and community instability.
This sentencing occurs amid increased global scrutiny of transnational drug networks. In a related development, authorities in India recently announced the arrest of 50 Nigerian nationals in a large-scale operation targeting an international narcotics distribution ring.
The crackdown on drug-related crime is also intensifying within Nigeria. In a significant domestic operation, the Kaduna State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reported a major victory in October 2025. The agency arrested 109 suspects, confiscated over 3.6 tonnes of illicit drugs, and dismantled 75 drug joints.
