Sheryl Cwele appears in court

Police this morning arrested Sheryl Cwele at her work in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu Natal.

Cwele is being charged with dealing in drugs or conspiracy to deal in drugs alongside Frank Nabolisa, a Nigerian national who has been in jail since last year. Nabolisa is linked to a syndicate that attempted to smuggle cocaine to SA as well as being involved in drug manufacturing in Westonaria, Gauteng.

Cwele and Nabolisa are facing three counts:

• Dealing or conspiracy to deal in drugs
• The procurement or instigation of Charmaine Moss to collect drugs in Turkey
• The procurement or incitement of Tessa Beetge who is currently in jail in Colombia, South America for trying to smuggle 9.2kg of cocaine.

She is currently in court while her legal adviser and the state argue whether there will be a bail hearing or not. The state intends opposing bail.

Moss who claims that Cwele recruited her, is now the state's main witness.

Bail application willl be done on Friday week - February 5, 2010. She remains in jail until then.

Statement issued by Musa Zondi, South African Police Service, January 29 2010

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter