The seven suspects busted regarding the smuggling of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) are set to reappear for pretrial in the Kroonstad Magistrates’ Court on 2 November. The matter was postponed during their first appearance on 3 October.
The suspects face charges of possession of stolen property, conspiracy to commit a crime, and contravening the Medicine Act. They are Moholo Patrick Matsekane (34), Motsekane Zachariah Padi (35), Zwelenzima Goodwil Mashene (36), Letshego Gift Molatedi (36), Mikateko Yvonne Mabudwa (42), Tsepo Mokale (36), and Malika Malewa (39). The case against them is the culmination of probing by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team after a breakthrough by the Welkom police’s Tactical Response Team (TRT) in October 2020. The summons to appear in court regarding the matter were served on 13 September.
Capt. Christopher Singo, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said members of the TRT acted on intelligence-driven information about some of the suspects who were en route to sell ARVs in Kroonstad on 17 October 2020. He said some of the medication was discovered in two containers in the car other suspects were travelling in.
Singo said upon them unable to give satisfactory answers about the medication, the suspects then led the police to the person said to be the owner at a guest house in Kroonstad, where more ARVs where discovered.
He said 1 272 ARV tablets, estimated to the value of R480 000, were found in the rooms of the suspects.
