Linda Sebezo remembers spending time in maximum prison after police found R5m worth of drugs in her house

Award-winning actress Linda Sebezo has reflected on a “dark time” in her life when police found drugs in her house in Cleveland in 2008 and was falsely accused of a crime. 

The actress was a guest on King David’s podcast recently and recalled how the police, looking for drugs, searched the house and found them in an outside room. The actress says she had no knowledge of the drugs and was shocked when the officer revealed they had a street value of R5m.

Linda told David that she was arrested on New Year’s Day for drug possession and spent months Johannesburg prison, known as Sun City. Considered a flight risk, she was denied bail.

“When people were happy because it was New Year’s I was in Cleveland holding cells. While I was locked up I didn’t think too much of it, I thought I would be released the following day.”

When she was finally released the magistrate told her the drugs had been there for almost five years and they couldn’t be hers since she’d only lived in the house for two years.

Watch the full interview below:

During an interview with Drum in 2021, the star revealed she returned to the prison when cast in Lockdown.

“Since I stay close to Sun City, I decided to visit the prison and speak to inmates and wardens to find out how things are done inside.”

She said she taught inmates how to dance, act and sing.

When she returned home jobless and had to move into a one-bedroom flat, she wouldn’t let herself become depressed by her situation.

“I don’t know what depression is. I have never let my life be destroyed by circumstances. I decided long ago to live my life the best way I want to and that’s what I am doing.”