Week behind bars for 'drug bust actress'

An actress allegedly caught with drugs worth millions of rand is “alright” despite the prospect of spending a week in a Johannesburg prison.

Ottilia Mmatjatji Malatji‚ 29 was arrested on Sunday at OR Tambo International Airport when 15.4kg of ephedrine‚ worth about R4.6-million‚ was allegedly found in her luggage.

She had arrived on a flight from Abu Dhabi and customs officials discovered the drugs upon searching her luggage‚ the South African Revenue Service (Sars) said.

Ephedrine is used in the manufacturing of crystal methamphetamine‚ or tik. It is also used to treat asthma and is an active ingredient in some weight loss substances.

Malatji made a brief appearance in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court‚ which was filled to the brim with mostly members of the media‚ on Tuesday. She stood composed in the dock waiting for the date for her bail application to be set.

The case was postponed to October 7.

Advocate Jabulani Dlangalala‚ who represents Malatji‚ told RDM News Wire that Malatji was “doing alright“.

“When you know are not guilty of any crime you don’t have anything to worry about‚” said Dlangalala.

He said Malatji would be held at the Johannesburg Prison‚ known as “Sun City“‚ until her next court appearance.

Sars spokesman Luther Lebelo on Monday said Malatji was an actress.

Lebelo said she had had supporting roles in local television soaps such as e.tv’s Scandal!‚ SABC3’s Isidingo and SABC1’s Skeem Saam.

Following speculation about her identity prior to her court appearance‚ police spokesman Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said the woman was not a celebrity but had only appeared as an extra in local television shows.