The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi has expressed his gratitude to Police members and other law enforcers after recovering dagga worth Millions of Rands in two incidents this week, one in Hazyview and the other in Chrissiesmeer.
Crime Prevention members from Chrissiesmeer, in conjunction with Rural Safety members, and Crime Prevention Wardens were busy conducting stop-and-searches duties on the R33 Road between Warbuton and Carolina on Wednesday, 30 April 2025 around 03:45. A suspicious Toyota Hilux Hilux bakkie with Gauteng registration number plates then emerged.
The driver refused to stop when the members ordered him to do so, and rather sped off. The astute members then gave chase and finally managed to bring the car to a halt. Inside the vehicle was a 33-year-old man from the Kingdom of Eswatini. It was during this time when 64 small packets containing dagga were found, as well as 24 big packets, wrapped with plastics and starched with dagga. The consignment was hidden at the back of the bakkie and the total weight of the seized dagga is 381 kg’s valued at about R800 000. The apprehended man was charged for dealing in dagga.
Meanwhile on the same day (30 April 2025) around 09h30 am, information was received by members of the SAPS from K9 Unit in White River, regarding a white Toyota Hilux bakkie with Mpumalanga registration number plates, which was said to have been transporting large consignment of dagga along the R40 Road between White River and Hazyview. The information was shared with POLSEC members from Spesplan Security.
The said bakkie was then spotted with two occupants inside, driving on the R40 road and the car was stopped whereby a search on the vehicle was conducted. It was during this time when a total of 16 big bags, starched with dagga, were found inside the bakkie hence the suspects were apprehended. The total weight of the seized dagga is about 320 kg’s with an estimated street value if about R1.3 Million.
All the suspects were charged accordingly and the bags as well as the vehicles reportedly involved were seized as part of the investigation by the Police.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in the Mpumalanga Province Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkwanazi commended the work carried out in battling trafficking of dagga.