Mapaballo Borotho

- A Mozambican national has been sentenced to 10 years for attempting to smuggle crystal meth worth R4.2 million into South Africa.
- He was arrested at the Lebombo Port of Entry after police intercepted his minibus in June 2024.
- Seven years of his sentence were suspended, leaving him to serve three years behind bars.
A Mozambican national has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for attempting to distribute drugs worth R4 250 000 in South Africa.
His plan to traffic crystal meth, stashed in 17 containers weighing 17kg, was foiled when his minibus was intercepted by South African Police at the Lebombo Port of Entry in June 2024.
Jorge Salomao Chimeme was the only occupant inside the minibus, subsequently leading to his arrest.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said the 39-year-old suspect pleaded guilty to possession of drugs on Thursday, 29 January 2026.
“Chimeme was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. Seven years of his sentence were suspended for three years on condition that he is not found guilty of a similar offence,” said Nkosi.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, welcomed the guilty verdict.
“It is concerning that someone whose mission was to destroy the well-being of South Africans will spend three years behind bars. Distributing drugs to the citizens of the Republic is extremely serious and destroys lives,” said the General.
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