Nam Authorities in SA yet to confirm suspected drug mule’s nationality

NAMPA
2024-09-23
JOHANNESBURG, 22 September 2024 - A 30-year-old woman, said to be a Namibian national, was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Monday. More than 60 bullets of suspected cocaine were recovered from the suspect. (Photo: Contributed) JOHANNESBURG, 22 September 2024 - A 30-year-old woman, said to be a Namibian national, was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Monday. More than 60 bullets of suspected cocaine were recovered from the suspect. (Photo: Contributed)
WINDHOEK, 23 SEP (NAMPA) – The Namibian Police Force’s attaché in Pretoria, Commissioner Reinhardt !Goaseb has said the high commission is yet to confirm the nationality of a woman arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on alleged drug-related charges.
The 30-year-old woman, said to be a Namibian national, was arrested upon landing from São Paulo, Brazil, en route to Namibia, by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
SAPS has indicated that it received intel on a drug mule landing at the airport.
!Goaseb in an interview on Monday said he is awaiting feedback and permission from South African authorities to interrogate the suspect and determine if she is Namibian.
“At this stage, we are not sure about her nationality. Anyone can carry a passport which may even be forged, and pretend to be a Namibian national. The interrogation we are to conduct will give clarity on this issue,” !Goaseb said.
South African law enforcement, according to South African media outlets, immediately intercepted the suspected drug mule as she was making her way through immigration.
“She was immediately arrested and taken to a local hospital where a medical x-ray confirmed and detected foreign objects in her stomach,” South African media reports said.
(NAMPA)
EB/EK/AS

Latest NAMPA photos

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - Battle for the ball between Kavango West players Andreas Ndara, Mikka Kapanda (in red) and ||Kharas player Johan Vries during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match between the two sides in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - Battle for the ball between Kavango West players Andreas Ndara, Mikka Kapanda (in red) and ||Kharas player Johan Vries during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match between the two sides in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA
KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - ||Kharas player Johan Kooper during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match with Kavango West in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - ||Kharas player Johan Kooper during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match with Kavango West in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA
KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - ||Kharas team captain Johan Vries during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match with Kavango West in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - ||Kharas team captain Johan Vries during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match with Kavango West in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA
KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - Action between Kavango West player Fredy Kupembona (in red) and a ||Kharas player (in light blue) during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match between the two sides in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - Action between Kavango West player Fredy Kupembona (in red) and a ||Kharas player (in light blue) during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match between the two sides in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA
KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - ||Kharas team captain Johan Vries during their clash with Kavango West during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match between the two sides in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - ||Kharas team captain Johan Vries during their clash with Kavango West during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match between the two sides in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA
KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - Action between Kavango West player Gideon Kayundu (in red) and ||Kharas player Johan Kooper during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match between the two sides in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - Action between Kavango West player Gideon Kayundu (in red) and ||Kharas player Johan Kooper during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match between the two sides in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA
KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - Action between Kavango West player Gideon Kayundu (in red) and ||Kharas player Johan Kooper during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match between the two sides in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - Action between Kavango West player Gideon Kayundu (in red) and ||Kharas player Johan Kooper during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match between the two sides in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA
KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - An Ohangwena player while in action during their encounter with Oshikoto during their opening match of the 24th edition of the Nedbank Newspaper Cup in Keetmanshoop. The match ended 4-1 in favour of Oshikoto. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - An Ohangwena player while in action during their encounter with Oshikoto during their opening match of the 24th edition of the Nedbank Newspaper Cup in Keetmanshoop. The match ended 4-1 in favour of Oshikoto. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA