A Nigerian man, Victor Ikechukwu Udoh and South African woman to a combined 37 years imprisonment for dealing in drugs.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in a statement on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 said the woman, Vuyisekha Miranda Mzwakhe approached Udoh via social media, offering herself as a drug mule around South Africa.

Oudtshoorn Regional Court in the Western Cape sentenced Mzwakhe to 15 years in prison for drug dealing, while Udoh received a 20-year sentence for the same offence, plus an additional two years for violating immigration laws; he had overstayed his visa by over five years...TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.

The case, as outlined by National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, revealed a troubling partnership formed over social media.

Mzwakhe had contacted Udoh, introducing herself as a potential drug mule willing to transport drugs across South Africa, specifically from Plettenberg Bay to Johannesburg or Durban, while stressing she wouldn’t venture beyond the borders of the country.

Ntabazalila said despite Udoh’s apparent hesitation, asking Mzwakhe if she was certain of her decision, she confirmed her commitment. He financed her journey from Gqeberha to George, even covering expenses for her stay at a guesthouse.

“The guesthouse owner confirmed that he received a call from a man on October 15, 2021, who booked a room. Later, a courier company brought a parcel to his guesthouse, and he thought it was for the guesthouse.

“The man who booked the room called inquiring about the parcel and informed the owner that it was his. On the afternoon of that day, Mzwakhe arrived, checked in, received a key and a remote for the gate. Udoh arrived after her, and she opened the gate for him. Later, Mzwakhe handed over the keys, indicating that they were leaving,” said the prosecutor in court.

Ntabazalila said the duo boarded a taxi to Oudtshoorn and police received a tip-off about a suspicious couple in the taxi.

“A roadblock was set up, and the taxi was stopped at the roadblock. A police officer introduced himself to the driver and passengers and requested permission to search the vehicle. The police officer saw Mzwakhe with the box on her lap and Udoh sitting behind her.

“He instructed the passengers to get out of the vehicle, and Mzwakhe left the parcel behind. He picked it up and asked whose parcel it was, and she indicated that it belonged to Udoh. At the time, Udoh carried Mzwakhe’s bag with her clothes, identity document, and her passport. Police opened the box, and it had 743 grams of Methamphetamine (Tik) with a street value of R260,050.”

Following their arrest, Ntabazalila said Mzwakhe was released on bail but later rearrested after she failed to appear in court. She spent a year in custody before sentencing, and Udoh, 33, whose bail was opposed, spent five years in prison before sentencing.

“Mzwakhe pleaded not guilty, arguing that it was not her parcel and that Udoh asked her to collect it from the reception. She was not aware that the parcel contained drugs. Udoh pleaded not guilty, arguing that the search and seizure were unconstitutional, and the evidence was obtained unconstitutionally,” added Ntabazalila.

However, Mzwakhe’s lies were exposed after social media messages were presented in court and the conversations confirmed that the pair had an exchange where Mzwakhe offered to transport drugs for Udoh, the conversation happened a few days before their arrest.

The court also heard that Udo had applied for asylum; his application was rejected in 2016.

Nigerian man and female accomplice sentenced to 37 years imprisonment for drug trafficking in South Africa

Nigerian man and female accomplice sentenced to 37 years imprisonment for drug trafficking in South Africa