An elderly woman from Kenilworth will soon be sentenced for dealing in drugs and money laundering after she pleaded guilty to the charges.

The 67-year-old Grace Kunjana was convicted by the Khayelitsha Regional Court on Tuesday, following her arrest at a premises in Kenilworth in 2011.

At the time, the Hawks South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) was responding to information received regarding mandrax tablets that were stored at the premises in Kenilworth.

“Information was operationalised, and the premises was searched.” said Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi

Vukubio says the accused was found on the premises and upon searching, 24,719 mandrax tablets to the value of over R1 million were discovered concealed in potato bags.

Further information was followed up regarding a property she was renting in Wynberg. At the premises, 262 818 mandrax tablets valued at over R11 million as well as 2.1kg of Crystal Methamphetamine, more commonly known as tik, valued at R262 500.00, were seized.

According to the Hawks, cash to the amount of R1 823 000,00 that was also concealed in potato bags was seized.

“The accused was convicted on the following charges:

Count 1-2: Dealing in drugs

Counts 3-16: Money Laundering”

Kunjana will return to court on 14 May 2026 for sentencing.

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