It is not going to be easy for SA drug mule Nolubabalo Nobanda

Dennis TSeptember 20, 2019

1,498 1 minute read

Convicted South African drug mule Nolubabalo “Babsie” Nobanda has been released after serving seven years of a 15-year sentence, making her way back home. Nobanda was met by her family at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Thursday.

In 2011 Nobanda was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport after she was busted with 1.5kg of cocaine stuffed in her artificial dreadlocks. She pleaded guilty and her 30-year sentence was reduced to 15 years.

Vanessa Goosen, who was in the same Thai women’s jail a few years ago, shares how she had to readapt to life after prison. It is not going to be easy for her. It made me think back when I returned to South Africa, my family and friends felt like strangers to me.

The fact that I had been cut off from the world for so many years and integrating back and not knowing what has been happening in the world – I felt very stupid. I had to learn how to use a cellphone, technology was a challenge for me.

In other news – SA drug mule caught with cocaine in dreadlocks heading home

Convicted South African drug smuggler Nolubabalo ‘Babsie’ Nobanda is heading back to South Africa.

In 2011 Nobanda was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport after she was busted with 1.5kg of cocaine stuffed in her artificial dreadlocks. Read more