NELSPRUIT - The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has applauded members of the police at Malelane for their vigilance and alertness which enabled them to sniff out a large amount of dagga starched in 14 bags as it was being transported in a minibus on the N4 Road. The driver of the minibus, aged 42 was arrested on Saturday, 09 April 2022 around 10h35 am.

According to the report, SAPS members from Malelane were conducting a sting operation on the N4 Road, about 5 kilometres away from Malelane CBD. A white Toyota Quantum then emerged with one occupant (driver) and it was spotted then stopped by the members. During the search, police discovered the said bags of dagga weighing about 500 kilograms, to the estimated street value of about R750 000-00. The man was then apprehended and charged with dealing in dagga.

He is expected to appear before the Nkomazi Magistrate's Court (in Tonga) on Monday, 11 April 2022 facing the said charges.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney further indicated that the police are ever-ready to remove all types of drugs from the society. "The public should expect more of these kinds of operations as we move towards Easter holidays. We will intensify our efforts whilst we clampdown on crime. We shall leave no stone unturned" said the General.

Source: South African Police Service