Nelspruit: 23 March 2023 - Four suspects aged between 26 and 59 appeared in the Chief Albert Magistrate's Court today, 23 March 2023 in connection with trafficking of dagga. According to information, earlier this morning, Thursday 23 March 2023 at about 05h30 am, police in Oshoek Border were performing their routine stop and search duties. During the course of the operation, a truck that was crossing the boarder from the Kingdom of Eswatini to the Republic of South Africa with two Zimbabwean nationals was stopped and searched.
The two occupants, 39-year-old driver and his crew, Milton Sibanda (26) were on board. Police searched the truck where nine plastic bags stuffed with dagga weighing 83,2 kg were discovered. That was when the two were arrested whilst the dagga was confiscated. The two were charged for dealing in dagga. During their court appearance, the driver was released whilst Sibanda pleaded guilty and was fined R50 000 or four years imprisonment.
In a separate yet similar incident, on Wednesday, 22 March 2023 around 16h30, police in Waverley Port of Entry conducted routine patrols on D26 Road, about 10 kilometres from the boarder. They spotted a white Nissan NP200 bakkie with two occupants. They stopped then searched the vehicle which yielded positive results as dagga wrapped and compressed at the bakkie's trunk which was concealed with protective sail.
The dagga is weighing 188.53 kilograms with an estimated street value of R791 826.00.
Motlalepula Samuel Mollo (59) and Nere Samuel Moloi (59) were both arrested and charged for dealing in dagga. The pair also appeared in the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate's Court where their case was postponed to Wednesday, 29 March 2023 for a formal bail application. The two were remanded in custody.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, 22 March 2023 members of the Border Policing recovered 23 kilograms of dagga at a place called Emahlathini near Piet Retief. The consignment was further wrapped in a big plastic bag. Police are of the view that the dagga, estimated to the street value of about R35000-00 could have been possibly abandoned by suspects.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi has applauded members for their vigilance.“Police will continue to work hard and ensure that no single place in the province is used for drug trafficking” said the General.