LiSwati arrested for E1m dagga in Mpumalanga
MBABANE – A 38- year- old liSwati was arrested at Low’s Creek, Mpumalanga for the possession of 341.7 kilogrammes of dagga worth E1 million on Wednesday.
This was confirmed by Brigadier Leonard Hlathi from the South African Police Service ( SAPS), Mpumalanga Province. Hlathi said the suspect, Zakhele Amon Malambe, appeared at the Low’s Creek Magistrates Court yesterday and was granted E7 000 bail and would be back in court on September 9, 2021. He said Malambe was arrested during an Intelligence Driven Operation that was conducted at low’s Creek.
Hlathi stated that members from the unit gathered information about a grey Toyota single cab bakkie with one occupant near Low’s Creek was involved in an illicit activity. “They then mobilised police on duty who spotted the said vehicle, stopped it for a search and they discovered 19 bags which were loaded with dagga weighing about 341.7 kilogrammes,” Hlathi said. He said Malambe was immediately arrested and charged accordingly, hence his court appearance.
Vehicle
According to Hlathi, police also confiscated the vehicle as it was used in the commission of the alleged crime. He mentioned that preliminary investigations had since revealed that there were possibilities that the suspect may face more charges relating to being in the country illegally. However, he said he was cleared as he had legal documents to enter South Africa.
In another breakthrough, Hlathi said police continued to make their presence felt at the borders with an aim to ensure that citizens lived in a safe environment. He stated that SAPS members conducted operations at Oshoek Port of Entry on Monday ( July 19, 2021), where they arrested two suspects in possession of dagga. Hlathi said one of the suspects had hidden his dagga with an estimated street value of E96 814 under a trailer of the truck he was driving. He said the truck, as well as its trailer, were also seized as they were reportedly used in the commission of crime. The suspect is facing charges relating to dealing in dagga. Another suspect was found in possession of dagga weighing about three kilogrammes with an estimated street value of E4 500 and a television set valued at about E7 000. Police also found abandoned dagga with an estimated street value of E4 540.
Hlathi said the police management, led by the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, welcomed the successes and applauded members for their resilience in rooting out crime in the society.