Accused implicated in Airport drug bust denied bail

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Quintet dealing in drugs to Australia via OR Tambo International Airport case appeared in the Kempton Park magistrates court for bail application.

The five accused, Stanley Nkuna, 33, Justice Mahloma, 44, Madimetje Mahangwhane, 41, Thulani Sibiya, 31, and Fuba Mahlangu, 40, have been in custody since November 15, 2023.

This follows their arrest by the Gauteng Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation.

Acsa said one of the accused is employed in its safety department while another works in its electrical maintenance department, reports DispatchLIVE. 

Two of the suspects are employees of Menzies Aviation and one works for Swissport.

Menzies Aviation manages the global transportation of high-value and time-critical cargo, while Swissport is an aviation services company that provides cargo handling services to Acsa.

According to the Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, the quintet is alleged to have had a hand in a R500 million drug bust where the consignment of 5 bags of 100kg each were recovered in Australia on October 7, 2023.

She added that the five accused have subsequently appeared several times in court in a bid for their release on bail. 

“During the proceeding, the presiding officer, indicated that the accused were not forthcoming in relation to evidence to assist the court to make an informed decision regarding the bail application. 

“Nkuna, Sibiya and Mahlangu were denied bail as it will not be in the interest of justice as they failed to present exceptional circumstance evidence for their bail application.

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“Mahloma and Mahangwhane were granted R15 000 each with conditions not to leave the province without notifying the investigating officer in writing,” Col Mogale stated.

The case is postponed to Tuesday, April 30.