The state security department declined to comment on Thursday on the drug charges against Sheryl Cwele, who is the wife of State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele.
“We wish to advise that the matter is before the courts and that the accused be accorded her rights to dignity and a fair trial which must be respected. Any inquiries must be directed to the National Prosecuting Authority or the lawyers representing her,” said spokesperson Brian Dube.
They would also not make any further comment on the matter.
Sheryl Cwele denied being involved in drug trafficking in her bail application papers filed in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Tuesday.
“I wish to categorically state that I never knowingly participated in any drug trafficking, conspiracy or incitement to deal in drugs as set out in the indictment or at all,” she stated.
Cwele and Frank Nabolis, a Nigerian arrested last month, face three charges. These are: dealing or conspiring to deal in drugs; arranging for a woman called Charmaine Moss to collect drugs in Turkey; and arranging for another woman, Tessa Beetge, to smuggle 9kg of cocaine from South America.
Brazilian police arrested Beetge in São Paulo on June 13 2008.
They found 9,2kg of cocaine concealed in her baggage. She is currently serving an eight-year sentence in São Paulo for drug trafficking.
Ms Cwele is a director of health at the Hibiscus Coast Municipality.
Her bail hearing is set to take place on Friday.
Dube said he could not confirm or deny a Sowetan report that the Cweles have been estranged from each other for some time.
Shortly after her arrest the DA asked that Cwele prove he was in no way involved in the matter, or resign from Cabinet.