Zambian Faces Jail in SA for Importing Bleaching Creams

George Kangwa, a 39 year-old truck driver has been slapped with a R60,000 fine or in default to serve a four year jail term by the Lephalale Regional Court in Limpopo Provice, South Africa for importing bleaching creams into the country. 

Kangwa was caught at Martins Drift Birder Control at the Bostwana/South Africa border last month. 

Unless Mr Kangwa can pay the R60,000 fine, he will serve four years in prison. 

South Africa banned the importation of bleaching creams that contain mercury, hydroquinone and other banned substances. 

Last month, four Zambians, among them two drivers, were given similar sentences for committing the same offences. 

Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Emmanuel Mwamba, expressed his concern over the increasing number of cases Zambians are facing charges, regarding banned skin creams, soaps and related products. Mwamba has warned that the consequences of being caught were severe in many cases, stressing that importers will face long jail sentences, and risk the forfeiture of their vessels used if they are found guilty of committing such crimes in the country. 

Mwamba therefore urges all bus services and truck drivers to ensure that no passengers are in possession of banned substances and that they follow the law, especially on bleaching creams and other prohibited merchandise. 

This is according to a press statement released by first secretary Press and Public Relations at the Zambia High Commission in Pretoria