WESTERN CAPE – A 68-year-old drug dealer has been convicted and sentenced in the Khayelitsha Priority Court, with assets worth over R5.3 million forfeited to the State.

Grace Nomazizi Kunjani was convicted on charges of dealing in Mandrax and money laundering on 23 March this year, following an investigation by the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team based in Bellville.

The court heard that on 14 March 2011, information was received that Mandrax was being stored at premises in 2 Moor Street, Kenilworth.

“A search of the premises yielded 24 719 Mandrax tablets valued at over R1.1 million, concealed in potato bags. Kunjani was arrested on the scene. A further search at a property she was renting at 6 Chartwell Place uncovered an additional 262 818 Mandrax tablets valued at over R11.8 million, 2.1 kg of tik valued at R262 500 and R1 823 000 in cash, also concealed in potato bags,” says Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani.

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On 16 July, Kunjani was sentenced as follows: On counts one and two of dealing in drugs, she received 10 years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years. She was placed under correctional supervision for five years, which includes 24-hour house arrest during the week, 384 hours of community service at 16 hours per month for 30 months, and a 12-month offender rehabilitation programme.

On counts three to five of money laundering, she was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years. On counts six to 16 of money laundering, she received five years’ imprisonment, also wholly suspended for five years.

“As a result of the sentence, assets belonging to her worth over R5.3 million, were forfeited to the State. It includes a house in the Western Cape valued at approximately R3.39 million, a house in East London valued at R910 000, an Audi A5 Cabriolet valued at R170 000, a Ford Ranger valued at R155 200, a Toyota Quantum valued at R277 300, approximately R380 000 in a bank account and R100 000 in cash,” says Hani.

Hawks provincial head in the Western Cape, Major General Mathipa Makgato, commended the investigating team for dismantling the syndicate.

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