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

OPUWO, 27 May 2026 - Descendant of genocide victims, Mike Kavekotora and Stein Katupa pictured during a Government Information Centre engagement in Opuwo on Wednesday, ahead of Genocide Remembrance Day. (Photo: Contributed)

OPUWO, 27 May 2026 - Descendant of genocide victims, Mike Kavekotora and Stein Katupa pictured during a Government Information Centre engagement in Opuwo on Wednesday, ahead of Genocide Remembrance Day. (Photo: Contributed)

NAMPA
KITWE, 27 MAY 2026 - Namibian High Commissioner to Zambia, Goms Menette pictured with participants at the Copperbelt Agricultural, Mining, Industrial, Networking and Enterprise Exhibition 2026 held in Kitwe from 19 to 21 May 2026. (Photo: Contributed)

KITWE, 27 MAY 2026 - Namibian High Commissioner to Zambia, Goms Menette pictured with participants at the Copperbelt Agricultural, Mining, Industrial, Networking and Enterprise Exhibition 2026 held in Kitwe from 19 to 21 May 2026. (Photo: Contributed)

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 27 May 2026 - National assembly Speaker, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila (R), Vice Chairperson of The National Committee of the China People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Zhu Yongxin (M) and Ambassador of China to Namibia, Zhao Weiping, during a visit by a Chinese delegation to Parliament. (Photo by: Ali Negumbo) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 27 May 2026 - National assembly Speaker, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila (R), Vice Chairperson of The National Committee of the China People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Zhu Yongxin (M) and Ambassador of China to Namibia, Zhao Weiping, during a visit by a Chinese delegation to Parliament. (Photo by: Ali Negumbo) NAMPA

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 27 May 2026 - Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the China People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Zhu Yongxin (L), and National Assembly Speaker, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila (R) exchange gifts during a visit by a Chinese delegation to Parliament. (Photo by: Ali Negumbo) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 27 May 2026 - Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the China People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Zhu Yongxin (L), and National Assembly Speaker, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila (R) exchange gifts during a visit by a Chinese delegation to Parliament. (Photo by: Ali Negumbo) NAMPA

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 27 May 2026  - Boyson Ngondo, the Deputy Director of National Heritage and Culture Programmes. (Photo by: Andreas Thomas) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 27 May 2026 - Boyson Ngondo, the Deputy Director of National Heritage and Culture Programmes. (Photo by: Andreas Thomas) NAMPA

NAMPA
OPUWO, 27 May 2027 - Ruben Bolla Nangombe, Regional Coordinator of the Kunene Regional Football Association. (Photo: Contributed)

OPUWO, 27 May 2027 - Ruben Bolla Nangombe, Regional Coordinator of the Kunene Regional Football Association. (Photo: Contributed)

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 27 May 2026  - The iconic Christuskirche in Windhoek. (Photo by: Andreas Thomas) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 27 May 2026 - The iconic Christuskirche in Windhoek. (Photo by: Andreas Thomas) NAMPA

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 27 May 2026 - Director of the National Heritage Council of Namibia, Errica Ndalikokule. (Photo by: Andreas Thomas) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 27 May 2026 - Director of the National Heritage Council of Namibia, Errica Ndalikokule. (Photo by: Andreas Thomas) NAMPA

NAMPA