A businesswoman from Heilbron in the Free State was sentenced to a fine, with an option to pay half of the amount, after pleading guilty to dealing in dagga. The accused, Samiya Minani (43), was sentenced on Friday, 19 January, in the Heilbron Magistrates’ Court.
Her sentencing was the culmination of an investigation by the Welkom’s Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team that uncovered her modus operandi of selling dagga from her business place. The accused, also known as Mama Africa, was caught red-handed.
Capt. Christopher Singo, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said Minani was fined R6 000 and ordered to pay R3 000 in addition. “She had R3 000 suspended for five years on condition that she is not convicted of the same offence during the period of suspension. If she fails to pay R3 000 she will serve six months’ imprisonment,” said Singo.
He said Minani was arrested on 26 October 2022, by the Hawks and Welkom’s K9 unit after uncovering her modus operandi of selling dagga from her business, Minani Supermarket.
“A search-and-seizure operation was conducted at Minani Supermarket in Heilbron. She was found in possession of crushed dagga, with an estimated street value of R17 000,” said Singo. He said the police received reliable information about Minani’s selling of drugs in the area.
