A 38-year-old South African woman, Chante Coetzee, appeared before the Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court on Friday following her extradition from Zambia. She faces multiple charges related to motor vehicle theft.

Coetzee was handed over at the Katima Mulilo border post on Thursday by Interpol Zambia, working in collaboration with Namibian authorities. She was immediately arrested and charged upon arrival.

The charges against her include theft of a motor vehicle, fraud, selling a stolen vehicle to an unknown buyer, and violating the Combatting of Organized Crime Act.

The State opposed bail, arguing that Coetzee is a flight risk and that releasing her would not be in the interest of justice or public safety. After being informed of her legal rights, she opted to apply for government-funded legal aid.

Her case has been transferred to the Katima Mulilo Regional Court, where she is set to make her next appearance on March 6.

According to allegations, Coetzee rented a Toyota GD6 from Kuomboka Investment in Katima Mulilo, supposedly for local use. However, she allegedly crossed into Zambia through the Katima Mulilo border post, while the vehicle was smuggled across an unofficial entry point with the help of unidentified individuals.

She and her accomplices are accused of driving the stolen vehicle to Lusaka, where it was reportedly sold. Coetzee then flew to South Africa via Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.

Interpol Zambia arrested her in October last year when she attempted to return to Lusaka.

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Sililo Mubiana