Tik suspect ‘a flight risk’

A Joburg woman arrested at Cape Town International Airport for the illegal possession of tik valued at R3 million is a flight risk, the Bellville Magistrate’s Court has heard.

Hycenth Sibongile Mbatha, 46, of Germiston, was arrested at the airport last Sunday after police searched her luggage and found 10.4kg of tik.

Border police found 12 packets of tik concealed in her luggage when they searched her at about 8.30pm.

Mbatha had arrived in Cape Town on a flight from Joburg. Police arrested her and she was held in custody for two days before her first court appearance. Her case was postponed to allow the State time to ascertain whether it would oppose bail.

On Monday, prosecutor Ameera Vallie told the court that the State was opposed to Mbatha’s release on bail because she faced very serious charges and was considered to be a flight risk.

Vallie said an advocate from the offices of the director of public prosecutions was assigned to represent the State during Mbatha’s formal bail application next month.

Mbatha’s lawyer, Carlo Young, withdrew as her legal representative because he had not been paid. Mbatha then appointed Legal Aid lawyer Brendale Abrahams to defend her.

Mbatha has been charged with dealing in drugs, alternatively the illegal possession of tik.

According to the charge sheet, Mbatha faces a penalty of 25 years imprisonment should she be convicted of dealing in drugs, and up to 15 years in jail for the alternative charge of possession of drugs.

An unlimited fine may also be imposed for the crimes.

At the time of Mbatha’s arrest, police notified the media that Mbatha had a previous conviction for dealing in drugs. In 2006, police said, Mbatha was arrested for dealing in dagga in Joburg. She was sentenced a year later to a term of seven years behind bars, but was released after serving five years.

Mbatha is due to apply for bail for the latest incident on August 16.

jade.witten@inl.co.za

Cape Argus