Johannesburg ( CNN ) -- The wife of the South African state security minister was sentenced Friday to 12 years in prison for drug dealing that included hiring smugglers , authorities said . Cheryl Cwele was convicted after one of the women testified against her . Charmaine Moss , who testified against her , said Cwele asked them to pick up a parcel in Turkey , but she turned her down . Prosecutors relied on the woman 's testimony , text messages and e-mails to prove their case , said Natasha Ramkisson , a spokeswoman for the national prosecuting authority . Moss told the court that Cwele offered them more than $ 3,500 . Another woman agreed to pick up the package , and was arrested in Brazil , where she is now serving an eight-year sentence for drug trafficking , Ramkisson said . Cwele was convicted Thursday together with a Nigerian accomplice . She had pleaded not guilty . Opposition parties called on minister Siyabonga Cwele to resign following his wife 's sentencing . The minister is a member of the ruling African National Congress . `` This entire episode is an embarrassing blow to the reputation of South Africa and its government , '' said Phillip Dexter of the Congress of the People , which broke away from the ruling party . Presidential spokesman Zizi Kodwa declined to comment .
Note : Opposition parties call for the minister 's resignation . Mr Cwele is married to Siyabonga Cwele . She is sentenced together with an officer .