LIMPOPO – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation welcomes the conviction and sentencing of Patsona Banda (25) and Life Mbazi (33) by the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 01 December 2020.
On 13 March 2019, the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation members received a tip-off about people who were smuggling explosives from Zimbabwe into South Africa.
The Hawks members assisted by Beitbridge Crime Prevention members kept an observation at Beitbridge Port of Entry until they saw two suspicious people pushing a trolley full of parcels.
Upon searching the trolley, explosives worth over R470 000-00 were found wrapped with plastics and the duo was arrested. Banda and Mbazi were never granted bail until they were convicted and sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment each without an option of a fine.
