Illicit drug dealing case postponed to next year

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Five suspects who were arrested on charges of dealing in illicit drugs and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, appeared for their pre-trial in the George Circuit High Court on Thursday 10 November.

The case was however postponed to next year as some of the accused's legal representation still needs to be finalised.

Four of the accused were represented by Clayton Samson of Jansen and Samson Attorneys, but they recently elected to apply for legal aid. Samson withdrew from the case.

The fifth suspect has already applied for legal aid.

Lindela Lofani (44), Hlalanathi Lofani (46), Bongani Kenny Mgqatse (51), Someleze Nkawule (32) and Simphiwe September Fakilahle (48) will appear again on 10 February 2023 for their pre-trial to continue.

A sixth accused, Mzimasi Lofani (41), passed away due to natural causes earlier this year.

Lindela and Hlalanathi were arrested in Thembalethu on 31 January. Mgqatse was arrested in Gqeberha on the same day and Nkawule was arrested in Thembalethu a day after his alleged accomplices.

They were all released on bail ranging from R3 000 to R6 000 each.

Fakilahle was arrested in Queenstown on Thursday 10 March and did not apply for bail as he is already involved in another pending case, facing drug-related charges in the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court. He remains in custody in George.

Their arrests came after an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the Hawks teams from George and Gqeberha, George K9 unit, Public Order Policing Southern Cape and Oudtshoorn, as well as Motherwell Crime Intelligence.

The group was allegedly sourcing cannabis from rural villages in the Eastern Cape to distribute it in Southern Cape outlets.

The combined value of the cannabis is believed to be millions of rands.

The case serves in front of Judge Derek Wille, Advocate MP Heyns is for the state and the accused's new representation still has to come on record.

Someleze Nkawule, Simphiwe September Fakilahle, Bongani Kenny Mqgatse, Hlalanathi Lofani and Lindela Lofani.