South Africa is again in news because of controversy surrounding arrest of Sheryl Cwele, wife of Siyabonga Cwele who is South Africa’s intelligence and security minister. Sheryl Cwele is also director of health and community services at the Hibiscus Coast Municipality. She is said to be involved along with Tessa Beetge who was recently arrested in Brazil with around 9 kg of cocaine in her luggage and Frank Nabolis who is Nigerian; all pointers to the larger involvement in international drug dealing.

Sheryl Cwele has denied the charges but she has been arrested on different counts one dating back to May and June 2008. Minister Cwele has also denied having any knowledge about his wife’s involvement in drug dealing across continents and smuggling them into the country. But given the seriousness of the charges African minister Cwele will have to face many uncomfortable questions and he may even be asked to step down. But then those in power always know how to handle such issues so it will interesting to follow up the trial of yet another South African minister’s wife. It is really unfortunate that poor nations in African subcontinent have to suffer not just extreme poverty, lack of infrastructure but also corrupt leaders and politicians.

Via BBC