Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A HARARE man has appeared in court for allegedly having 40 boxes of Astrapain cough syrup, smuggled from South Africa without proper authorisation.
Sebastian Wozhele (34) appeared before regional magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo, facing charges of possessing unregistered medicines.
He was remanded in custody pending a bail hearing set for later this week.
Prosecutor Heather Mhlanga-Muokoto told the court that on February 17, 2025, around 1 pm, detectives from the CID Drugs Section in Masvingo intercepted a truck travelling to Harare.
The truck, owned by SB Transport, Boksburg, South Africa, was being driven by Simbarashe Kudakwashe Omega Kanoyangwa.
During a search of the truck, detectives discovered contraband hidden in the vehicle’s horse: 40 boxes of Astrapain cough syrup.
When questioned, the truck driver revealed that the parcel was handed to him in Johannesburg, South Africa, by a man identified only as Victor.
He was instructed to deliver it to Harare, where the intended recipient, using a provided phone number, would collect it.
The detectives escorted the truck to the Lockinvar truck stop in Harare and waited for the recipient.
On February 18, 2025, at around 5am, the accused arrived at the truck stop to collect the parcel.
Wozhele approached the truck driver and took possession of the 40 boxes of cough syrup.
As he phoned for a taxi to transport the contraband, he was apprehended by the detectives.
The seized boxes, each containing 30 bottles of 100ml Astrapain cough syrup, were valued at approximately US$5 600.
The contraband was taken to CID Harare Drugs and Narcotics for further investigation.
