The Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court has handed down a combined 35 years imprisonment to three Nigerian nationals; Oluebedu Okeke, 42, Chierota MGbekutha, 47, and Ekene Eze, 44, earlier in August 2025, for dealing and possession of drugs.
The three were arrested in August 2023, following an elaborate undercover organised crime investigation in which they were positively linked to numerous incidents of dealing in and distribution of drugs.
The accused, who have been in custody since their arrests, made several court appearances until they pleaded guilty and were sentenced.
They were sentenced as follows:
Oluebedu Okeke – 12 years direct imprisonment for dealing in drugs and possession of drugs.
Chierota MGbekutha – 10 years direct imprisonment for possession of drugs.
Ekene Eze – 12 years direct imprisonment for dealing in drugs and possession of drugs.
He was given an additional one-year imprisonment for the second count of dealing in drugs.
The court ordered that the accused be deported to their country of origin after serving their jail terms.
Police spokesperson in the North West province, Captain Mpho Manyoba indicated that the suspects first came into the radar of the police in March 2022 after information was received of certain unidentified individuals who were peddling and selling drugs in Fochville, Gauteng Province, Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp and Ventersdorp.
“In the process, a variety of drugs such as kat, crystal meth and ecstasy with an estimated street value of R550 000.00 were seized,” said Manyoba.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, welcomed the imprisonment handed down by the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court.
Asaneng said that the arrest and lengthy sentences imposed on the drug peddlers is welcomed and it must send a strong message to others like them who have out greed and total disrespect, turned
our towns, townships and villages into havens and playgrounds for peddling and destroying the youth with drugs.
“I am still calling upon all law-abiding citizens including parents, educators and landlords to be vigilant in making sure that they do not harbour or allow criminal syndicates to rent or use their premises for criminal enterprises, but to immediately notify their trusted local police,” Major General Asaneng said.
Powered by: Blogger
Updated: September 2025
#WolmaransstadLinkNews