A South African Court has convicted a 39 year old Zambian National for being guilty of smuggling skin bleaching creams into that country.
George Kangwa a truck driver was convicted by the Lephalale Regional Court in Limpopo Province.
Mr Kangwa’s conviction brings the number of Zambia National convicted in that country to four in the last one month.
He was fined R60, 000.00 or in default to serve four years in jail.
He was arrested at Martins Drift Border Control as he was entering South Africa through Bostwana.
Mr Kangwa risks a four year jail term if he fails to pay the fine of R60,000.00.
However the truck belonging to his employers was not forfeited to the state as the court established that the driver carried the items in his own capacity.
South Africa has banned the importation of bleaching creams that contain mercury, hydroquinone and other banned substances in that country.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Emmanuel Mwamba has expressed concern over the increasing number of cases Zambians are facing regarding banned skin creams, soaps and related products.
He warned that the consequences were severe and in many cases the importers besides facing long jail sentences, risked the forfeiture of the vessels they were using such as buses or trucks.
He advised Bus Services and truck drivers to ensure that no passengers carry banned substances and that they follow the law especially on bleaching creams and other prohibited merchandise.
According to the World Health Organisation, skin bleaching using soaps or creams containing chemicals such as mercury and hydroquinone can cause diverse health effects on the human body.
This is contained in a statement issued by Naomi Nyawali First Secretary Press and Public Relations Zambia High Commission Pretoria South Africa
