Cape Town Businessman Admits Role in Massive R400 Million Drug Bust, Receives Eight-Year Jail Sentence

A Cape Town businessman, Ebrahim Kara, has been handed an effective eight-year prison term for his critical role in a staggering R400 million drug bust that sent shockwaves across the Western Cape. The sentence was given as the part of a plea and sentencing agreement in the Khayelitsha Priority Crimes Court. Kara publicly confessed to enabling one of his co-accused by supplying a truck to transport the illegal drugs from Gauteng to Cape Town.

Provincial NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila explained that as an additional punitive measure, Kara relinquished R2 million and 672 bricks of cocaine to the State. The drugs were found in the truck that he had knowingly provided for the illegal mission.

Kara’s co-accused, Elias Radebe, 42, and Meshack Mzungezi Ngobese, 47, were apprehended in August 2022 with possession of the large cocaine haul, en route on the N1 highway. Both were sentenced earlier this month with Radebe receiving a year's sentence while Ngobese was handed six years of direct imprisonment. They also entered into a plea and sentence agreement with the State.

During the proceedings, Kara, a father of five, business owner, and an IT consultant, disclosed that after the drugs were loaded in Gauteng, Radebe collected Ngobese who was residing in the province. The duo then journeyed to Cape Town, concealing the drugs in a crate.

In his confession, Kara further revealed that he was intercepted by the police while driving in Athlone, and upon searching the vehicle, 672 bricks of cocaine were discovered concealed within pine sheets, leading to the arrest of all three men. Senior State advocate, Peter-John Damon, clarified to the court that the drugs were destined for commercial purposes and not personal consumption.

According to Ntabazalila, Kara faces a 15-year imprisonment sentence, with seven years suspended for five years on condition that he avoids conviction under Section 4 or 5 of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992 during his suspension period.