Kempton Park – A 30-year-old Namibian woman has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of drug trafficking, the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed on Tuesday.
Pauline Mbangula was arrested on 22 September 2024 after arriving at OR Tambo International Airport from São Paulo, Brazil.
A medical examination revealed she had swallowed 68 bullet-shaped packets filled with cocaine.
According to SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, Mbangula told police she had been lured to Brazil under false pretences by a man she had recently met, believing they were going on a holiday.
Once there, she claimed, she was forced to ingest the drug-filled capsules and smuggle them into South Africa.
#sapsHQ [DRUG TRAFFICKING] #SAPS takes this opportunity to warn young women not to fall prey to #DrugTrafficking syndicates as this has dire consequences. This call follows the 8-year direct imprisonment #sentencing of a 30yr-old female Namibian drug mule by the Kempton Park… pic.twitter.com/ZkrQ4SNAMg
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 9, 2025
Last week, the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court sentenced her to eight years’ direct imprisonment for drug dealing, with three years of the sentence suspended.
Police have arrested more than 22 drug mules at OR Tambo International Airport in the past year alone.
“The regular arrests of drug mules at the OR Tambo International Airport should send a stern warning that police in SA – and in particular at this port of entry – are always on high alert to clamp down on criminality,” said Brigadier Mathe.
SAPS has also issued a warning to young women not to fall prey to drug trafficking syndicates, emphasising the severe consequences of becoming involved in transnational drug smuggling.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
