An elderly woman of Qwaqwa, facing charges of dealing in drugs, has suffered a first blow after the Free State High Court granted a preservation order against her. The outcome has paved the way for the trial of the accused, Evelyn Mosikili (75).
Currently out on bail of R500, she will stand trial in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates’ Court on 13 September.
WO Fikiswa Matoti, Free State spokesperson of the Hawks, said the case of dealing in drugs against the granny emanated from her arrest in November last year.
She said the Priority Crime Specialised Investigation team (PCSI), the Asset Forfeiture unit, and the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) in Bloemfontein applied for a preservation order as part of the ongoing investigation into Mosikili’s alleged dealing in drugs. This culminated with the high court granting the police an order on 20 July.
“The order secured in the high court is for preserving an amount of more than R290 000, which is the value of drugs found in the house of the accused Mosikili. An investigation is ongoing,” said Matoti.
She said the police apprehended the elderly woman after acting on reliable information received about drug dealings in the Boiketlo village, Qwaqwa.
“A search and seizure operation was then conducted at the house. During the search, the police discovered drugs and cash amounting to more than R160 000,” said Matoti, adding that an additional charge of corruption was added against Mosikili.
“When interrogated about the drugs and cash found, she then tried to bribe members of the police officers to evade arrest,” said Matoti.
