Hazel Francis Ngubeni is to be high commissioner to Singapore, which has the death penalty for drug smugglingSouth Africa was facing diplomatic embarrassment today after a former air hostess who was convicted of smuggling cocaine in the United States was named as the country’s high commissioner to Singapore, which has the death penalty for drug trafficking. Hazel Francis Ngubeni, 55, was jailed in New York from 1999 to 2001 after being convicted of smuggling drugs. She received diplomatic security clearance in 2013 after not disclosing her conviction during a vetting process by South Africa’s State Security Agency. Ms Ngubeni was a guest of honour at a recent function hosted by President Zuma’s wife and was given a…

Source: The Times October 03, 2016 10:52 UTC