The SAPS has issued a warning to young women following the sentencing of a Namibian woman to eight years in prison.
Namibian national Pauline Mbangula, 30, was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport in September 2024 after arriving from São Paulo, Brazil. Mbangula had swallowed around 68 bullet-shaped packets of cocaine, a medical check-up found. She was tricked into ingesting the drugs to smuggle them into South Africa by a man she had recently met while on holiday, police indicated.
The Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court sentenced her to eight years of direct imprisonment for drug trafficking on July 8, 2025. However, they suspended three years of the sentence.
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SAPS Warning to Young Women
After sentencing, there was a warning issued by SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe. She explained that traffickers were targeting young women. They are often vulnerable targets for coercive schemes, to use as drug mules. Police reiterated that the offers of quick money do not override the severe legal, physical, and family consequences. Such women may face these severe repercussions.
Broader Context of Drug Trafficking Arrests
The arrest of Pauline Mbangula forms part of the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) intensified crackdown on drug trafficking through key entry points. This includes OR Tambo International Airport. Over the past year, SAPS has apprehended more than 22 drug mules at the airport. Many of whom had ingested drug pellets filled with cocaine, similar to the method used by Mbangula. The trend indicates a continued clampdown by law enforcement on transnational smuggling rings.
SAPS’s Ongoing Battle Against Narcotics
The National Commissioner of the Police Fannie Masemola praised the teams. This includes SAPS and SARS, for their efforts in stopping the drug activities before the arrival of narcotics in the local communities. Some of the recent seizures have included thousands of kilograms of cocaine, mandrax, and methamphetamine. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu publicly praised SAPS members for their vigilance and recognised their effectiveness in intercepting drug syndicates.
Health and Legal Risks of Drug Muling
SAPS alerts that the ingestion of drug pellets is highly dangerous to health. Consequences include the bursting of packets, which can result in lethal overdoses, as well as drastic legal repercussions. Mbangula’s eight-year sentence for trafficking highlights the judiciary’s tough stance on drug mules.
Dangers & Consequences
The conviction of Pauline Mbangula sends a clear message from the judiciary in response to drug trafficking via South African entry points. SAPS’s warning to young women is meant to discourage recruitment into dangerous and exploitative criminal ventures. The authorities request vigilance and collaboration from the public. They note that reporting suspicious behavior is central to countering narcotics trafficking.
