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

WALVIS BAY, 10 June 2026 - Delegates attending the Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN) Elective Congress in Walvis Bay. The three-day congress will conclude with a the election of a new leadership to guide the association for the next term. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

WALVIS BAY, 10 June 2026 - Delegates attending the Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN) Elective Congress in Walvis Bay. The three-day congress will conclude with a the election of a new leadership to guide the association for the next term. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 10 June 2026 - Deputy Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Nicholas Mukasa. (Photo by: Molly Weyulu) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 10 June 2026 - Deputy Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Nicholas Mukasa. (Photo by: Molly Weyulu) NAMPA

NAMPA
MARIENTAL, 09 June 2026 - Mariental Residents Association chairperson Werner von Watzdorf. (Photo: Contributed)

MARIENTAL, 09 June 2026 - Mariental Residents Association chairperson Werner von Watzdorf. (Photo: Contributed)

NAMPA
SWAKOPMUND, 09 June 2026 - Chief Executive Officer of AFRIQOM, Mounir Halim, speaking at the opening of the Africa Fertiliser Club Conference in Swakopmund on Tuesday. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 09 June 2026 - Chief Executive Officer of AFRIQOM, Mounir Halim, speaking at the opening of the Africa Fertiliser Club Conference in Swakopmund on Tuesday. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA
SWAKOPMUND, 09 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia |Goagoses and Swakopmund Mayor Suamma Kautondokwa pictured with other delegates at the opening of the Africa Fertiliser Club Conference in Swakopmund on Tuesday. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 09 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia |Goagoses and Swakopmund Mayor Suamma Kautondokwa pictured with other delegates at the opening of the Africa Fertiliser Club Conference in Swakopmund on Tuesday. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA
MARIENTAL, 08 June 2026 - Hardap Governor, Riaan McNab, on Monday delivered the State of the Region Address. (Photo by: Joe-Chintha Garises) NAMPA

MARIENTAL, 08 June 2026 - Hardap Governor, Riaan McNab, on Monday delivered the State of the Region Address. (Photo by: Joe-Chintha Garises) NAMPA

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 08 June 2026 - Minister of Finance Ericah Shafudah welcomes delegates to the Budget Reform Roll-Out Workshop at the Windhoek Country Club on Monday.

(Photo by: Chelva Wells) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 08 June 2026 - Minister of Finance Ericah Shafudah welcomes delegates to the Budget Reform Roll-Out Workshop at the Windhoek Country Club on Monday. (Photo by: Chelva Wells) NAMPA

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 08 June 2026- Bank of Namibia Governor Ebson Uanguta presents the macroeconomic and fiscal outlook shaping Namibia’s budget reform agenda at the one-day implementation planning workshop in Windhoek on Monday. 

(Photo by: Chelva Wells) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 08 June 2026- Bank of Namibia Governor Ebson Uanguta presents the macroeconomic and fiscal outlook shaping Namibia’s budget reform agenda at the one-day implementation planning workshop in Windhoek on Monday. (Photo by: Chelva Wells) NAMPA

NAMPA